heart valve

Blood flow regulator

A heart valve is one of four flap-like structures in the heart that open and close to control blood flow between chambers and into arteries.

The valves ensure blood moves in one direction, preventing backflow.

Valve disorders—when valves leak or narrow—can require surgical repair or replacement: She had a mechanical heart valve implanted.

anatomy

mitral

Of a heart valve

bicuspid · semilunar · leaflet · annulus · cusp · chordae tendineae · ventricle · atrium · septum · orifice

pathology

stenosis

Abnormal bodily narrowing

endocarditis · calcification · rheumatic fever · murmur · congenital defect · atresia · vegetations · thrombus · fibrosis · cardiomyopathy

surgery

replacement

What takes another's place

suture · prosthesis · transcatheter · minimally invasive · cardiothoracic surgeon · postoperative · anticoagulation

function

blood flow

Movement through vessels

opening · closing · pressure gradient · oxygenation · perfusion · pulmonary circulation · preload · afterload

prosthetics

porcine

Of or like swine

Edwards · Medtronic · durability · warfarin

diagnostics

echocardiogram

Ultrasound of the heart

stethoscope · murmur · click · pressure gradient · stress test · electrocardiogram

Categories
Family

heart, valve, hearts, valves, cardiac, valved, cardiology, cardiovascular, heart valves

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G