Mitral valve

mitral valve

n.

A valve of the heart, composed of two triangular flaps, that is located between the left atrium and left ventricle and regulates blood flow between these chambers. Also called bicuspid valve, left atrioventricular valve.

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Mitral valve

A fold in between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart that directs blood that has received oxygen from the lungs to the aortic valve and the aorta.

Mentioned in: Cardiac Catheterization, Endocarditis, Heart Valve Replacement, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum

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mitral valve,

n a bicuspid valve situated between the left atrium and the left ventricle; the only valve with two, rather than three, cusps. It allows blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle but prevents blood from flowing back into the atrium.

mitral valve prolapse (MVP),

n the protrusion of one or both cusps of the mitral valve back into the left atrium during ventricular systole, resulting in incomplete closure of the valve. It may or may not be associated with mitral insufficiency (regurgitation) or a “leaky valve” and cause a heart murmur. Also called
“floppy” mitral valve. In most cases, it is harmless and does not cause symptoms or need to be treated. Symptoms include sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations), chest pain (unrelated to coronary artery disease or a heart attack), difficulty breathing after exertion, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath when lying flat (orthopnea). Some forms seem to be hereditary. It has been associated with Marfan syndrome, Graves' disease, and other disorders.