In: Anatomy and Physiology
Explain the purpose of the right and left atrioventricular valves as well as the aortic and pulmonary semilunar valves.
Right atrioventricular valve: It is present between right atrium and right ventricle and also called tricuspid valve. It opens to allow flow of blood from right atrium to right ventricle when atrium fill to capacity. The tricuspid valve shut during ventricular contraction and prevent backflow of blood into atrium.
Left atroventricular valve: Present between left atrium and left ventricle. It allows flow of blood from right atrium to right ventricle and shut during ventricular contraction to prevent backflow of blood into left atrium.
Aortic valve: Aortic valve is present between the left ventricle and aorta. It opens during ventricular contraction and allows movement of blood from left ventricle to the aorta. Rest of the time it is closed and prevent backflow of blood into left ventricle.
Pulmonary semilunar valves: Present between right ventricle and pulmonary artery. It opens during ventricular contraction and allows deoxygenated blood to enter into pulmonary circulation. Rest of the time it is closed to prevent backflow of blood into the right atrium.