Britannica Sources used in this answer

Where is the tricuspid valve located?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Illustration of a human heart cross-section showing four chambers-left and right atria and ventricles-with labeled major blood vessels. An inset highlights cardiac muscle tissue, showing myocytes and intercalated disks. — human cardiovascular system The human heart is both a pump and a muscle. Its four chambers move blood efficiently, while cardiac muscle cells joined by intercalated disks synchronize each contraction.

The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart. It serves as the right atrioventricular opening, acting as a gate that prevents the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium during ventricular contraction.12

The valve consists of three irregularly shaped flaps, or cusps, composed of endocardium reinforced with dense connective tissue. Its movement is regulated by papillary muscles and chordae tendineae, which prevent the leaflets from billowing into the atrium when the ventricle contracts.2