mitral valve
Quick Summary
The mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve, is a crucial part of the heart's anatomy. It consists of two triangular flaps that ensure blood flows in only one direction: from the left atrium to the left ventricle.1
Mitral insufficiency occurs when this valve cannot properly prevent blood from flowing backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium. This can be caused by rheumatic heart disease, congenital defects, or issues with the valve's supporting muscles and tendons. Less common causes include inflammation of the heart lining or tumors. Symptoms can range from unnoticeable to fatigue and shortness of breath. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medication, or surgical valve replacement.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
cardiovascular diseaseAbnormalities of the valvesA bicuspid aortic valve is not necessarily life-threatening, but in some persons it becomes thickened and obstructed (stenotic). With age the valve may also become incompetent or act as a nidus (focus of infection) for bacterial endocarditis. Congenital aortic valve stenosis, if severe, results in hypertrophy…
Read MoreA bicuspid aortic valve is not necessarily life-threatening, but in some persons it becomes thickened and obstructed (stenotic). With age the valve may also become incompetent or act as a nidus (focus of infection) for bacterial endocarditis. Congenital aortic valve stenosis, if severe, results in hypertrophy…
Read More- cardiovascular diseaseMyocardial infarction
…with the functioning of the mitral valve, the valve between the left upper and lower chambers, and result in a form of valvular heart disease. It may cause a rupture of the interventricular septum, the partition between the left and right ventricles, with the development of a ventricular septal defect,…
Read More…with the functioning of the mitral valve, the valve between the left upper and lower chambers, and result in a form of valvular heart disease. It may cause a rupture of the interventricular septum, the partition between the left and right ventricles, with the development of a ventricular septal defect,…
Read More - cardiovascular diseaseRheumatic heart disease
Mitral valve involvement is usually symptomless initially but may lead to left ventricular failure with shortness of breath. Heart murmurs are reasonably accurate signposts for specific valvular diagnoses. A murmur during the diastolic, or resting, phase of the heart, when blood normally flows through the…
Read MoreMitral valve involvement is usually symptomless initially but may lead to left ventricular failure with shortness of breath. Heart murmurs are reasonably accurate signposts for specific valvular diagnoses. A murmur during the diastolic, or resting, phase of the heart, when blood normally flows through the…
Read More