Normal function of the mitral valve
 Illustrations copyright 2002 by Nucleus
Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
http://www.nucleusinc.com The mitral valve is one of four valves in the heart. It regulates
blood flow from the upper left chamber (left atrium) into the lower left
chamber (left ventricle), the heart's main pumping chamber. A normal mitral valve has two flaps, or leaflets. When the heart
pumps, blood forces the flaps open, and blood flows from the left atrium to the
left ventricle. Between heartbeats, the leaflets close tightly so that blood
does not leak backwards through the valve.
Credits
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine | | Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | | Last Updated | March 18, 2008 |
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Last Updated: March 18, 2008 |
| Medical Review: |
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology |
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