Which valve is between the left atrium and the left ventricle?

Which valve is between the left atrium and the left ventricle?

• A. Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve
• B. Tricuspid Valve
• C. Pulmonary Valve
• D. Aortic Valve

Answer: (A)

The valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle is the mitral valve, also called the bicuspid valve. It sits between these two chambers and opens to let oxygenated blood flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle during heart relaxation (diastole). When the ventricle contracts (systole), the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from flowing backward into the atrium. The mitral valve has two leaflets and is supported by chordae tendineae attached to papillary muscles, which help prevent leaflets from prolapsing into the atrium. By contrast, the tricuspid valve lies between the right atrium and right ventricle, the pulmonary valve exits the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery, and the aortic valve exits the left ventricle to the aorta. Therefore, the mitral valve is the correct choice.

The valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle is the mitral valve, also called the bicuspid valve. It sits between these two chambers and opens to let oxygenated blood flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle during heart relaxation (diastole). When the ventricle contracts (systole), the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from flowing backward into the atrium. The mitral valve has two leaflets and is supported by chordae tendineae attached to papillary muscles, which help prevent leaflets from prolapsing into the atrium. By contrast, the tricuspid valve lies between the right atrium and right ventricle, the pulmonary valve exits the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery, and the aortic valve exits the left ventricle to the aorta. Therefore, the mitral valve is the correct choice.