What is the function of the tricuspid valve?

What is the function of the tricuspid valve?

• A. Opens to allow blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle
• B. Carries blood directly from the right ventricle to the lungs
• C. Closes to prevent backflow into the right atrium during right ventricular contraction
• D. Regulates blood flow into the pulmonary artery

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that heart valves prevent backflow and keep blood moving in one direction. The tricuspid valve sits between the right atrium and right ventricle and its key job is to prevent blood from flowing backward into the atrium when the ventricle contracts. During ventricular systole, the pressure in the right ventricle rises, and the valve leaflets close (with help from the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles) to stop regurgitation into the atrium. When the ventricle relaxes and pressure falls, the valve opens to allow blood to move from the right atrium into the right ventricle. It’s not the valve that directs flow all the way to the lungs (that’s the role of the pulmonary valve and pulmonary artery), nor is its sole function simply to open to let blood pass from atrium to ventricle. So the binding action—closing to prevent backflow during right ventricular contraction—best captures its essential role.

The main idea here is that heart valves prevent backflow and keep blood moving in one direction. The tricuspid valve sits between the right atrium and right ventricle and its key job is to prevent blood from flowing backward into the atrium when the ventricle contracts. During ventricular systole, the pressure in the right ventricle rises, and the valve leaflets close (with help from the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles) to stop regurgitation into the atrium. When the ventricle relaxes and pressure falls, the valve opens to allow blood to move from the right atrium into the right ventricle. It’s not the valve that directs flow all the way to the lungs (that’s the role of the pulmonary valve and pulmonary artery), nor is its sole function simply to open to let blood pass from atrium to ventricle. So the binding action—closing to prevent backflow during right ventricular contraction—best captures its essential role.