The aortic valve and mitral valve make up two of the four heart valves. The other two are the tricuspid and pulmonary valves. The aortic and mitral valve are both on the left side of the heart. The mitral valve separates the left atrium and left ventricle. The aortic valve is between the left ventricle and aorta, the artery that carries blood to the body.
The valves maintain a one way flow of blood throughout...
The aortic valve and mitral valve make up two of the four heart valves. The other two are the tricuspid and pulmonary valves. The aortic and mitral valve are both on the left side of the heart. The mitral valve separates the left atrium and left ventricle. The aortic valve is between the left ventricle and aorta, the artery that carries blood to the body.
The valves maintain a one way flow of blood throughout the body due to the systole and diastole contractions of the heart. Simply put, both valves are never open at the same time in a healthy heart. Muscle contractions force the blood only one direction, through the open valve.
In diastole the aortic valve closes and the ventricles relax, blocking blood from flowing into the aortic artery. The mitral valve is open, allowing blood to flow from the contracting atrium into the ventricle. As systole occurs, the valves switch. The mitral valve closes, cutting off flow from the atrium. The ventricle contacts and sends blood out through the aorta valve now open. The atrium relaxes and fills with fresh oxygenated blood coming from the lungs.
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