What is another name for the mitral valve?

What is another name for the mitral valve?

• A. Tricuspid valve
• B. Aortic valve
• C. Bicuspid valve
• D. Pulmonary valve

Answer: (C)

The name mitral valve is also used for the bicuspid valve because it has two leaflets. “Bi-” means two and “cuspid” refers to the leaflets of a valve, so bicuspid valve is a historic and still-used synonym for the mitral valve. This valve sits between the left atrium and left ventricle and prevents backflow during ventricular contraction. The other valves mentioned are not synonyms: the tricuspid valve is the right-side atrioventricular valve; the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve are semilunar valves at the exits of the heart, named for their positions and functions rather than as synonyms for the mitral valve.

The name mitral valve is also used for the bicuspid valve because it has two leaflets. “Bi-” means two and “cuspid” refers to the leaflets of a valve, so bicuspid valve is a historic and still-used synonym for the mitral valve. This valve sits between the left atrium and left ventricle and prevents backflow during ventricular contraction.

The other valves mentioned are not synonyms: the tricuspid valve is the right-side atrioventricular valve; the aortic valve and the pulmonary valve are semilunar valves at the exits of the heart, named for their positions and functions rather than as synonyms for the mitral valve.