Disorders of Heart Valves

Conditions, when one or more heart Valves malfunction are referred to as heart Valve disorders. Heart Valve problems come in several forms and can impact either the Semilunar or atrioventricular (AV) valves. Heart Valve conditions that are common include:

  1. Stenosis: Reduced blood flow through a heart Valve due to constriction or narrowing of the Valve is called stenosis.
  2. Regurgitation: Blood might seep backward through a heart Valve when it should be closed, a condition known as regurgitation.
  3. Prolapse: When ventricular contraction causes a Valve’s flaps, typically the mitral Valve, to prolapse, the valve collapses or bulges backward into the atrium.
  4. Endocarditis: An infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or the heart Valves is known as endocarditis.
  5. Congenital heart Valve disorder: Some people have abnormally shaped or malfunctioning cardiac Valves from birth.
  6. Rheumatic Cardiac diseases: Untreated Streptococcal infections can cause rheumatic fever, which can cause inflammation and damage to the heart Valves.

Difference between AV Valves and Semilunar Valves

AV Valves and Semilunar Valves are the two types of Valves that help in blood flow regulation. The heart’s atrioventricular (AV) Valves are unique Valves that are essential for controlling blood flow between the ventricles, which are the lower chambers, and the atria, which are the upper chambers. An individual’s heart contains two AV Valves Tricuspid and Bicuspid Valves.

To maintain a unidirectional flow of blood through the heart, the opening and shutting of AV Valves is synchronized with the cardiac cycle. The human heart contains two Valves called Semilunar Valves, which are positioned at the ventricle exits and are essential for controlling blood flow out of the heart. Just like AV Valves, Semilunar Valves are also of two types including pulmonary and aortic Valves.

Table of Content

  • Difference Between AV Valves and Semilunar Valves
  • What are Heart Valves?
  • What are AV Valves?
  • What are Semilunar Valves?
  • Functions of Heart Valves
  • Disorders of Heart Valves

Similar Reads

Difference Between AV Valves and Semilunar Valves

The two types of heart Valves that are most important in controlling blood flow within the heart are Semilunar and atrioventricular (AV) Valves. These are the differences between Semilunar and AV valves....

What are Heart Valves?

Blood flow is regulated by the heart, Valves which are specialized structures located within the heart. Blood can circulate efficiently because these Valves guarantee that blood flows through the heart chambers only in one direction. The human heart consists of four major cardiac Valves: Tricuspid, Bicuspid Valves (AV Valves), pulmonary, and aortic Valves (Semilunar Valves). The cardiac cycle is synchronized with the opening and shutting of the heart Valves. The AV Valves open to permit blood to enter the ventricles during atrial contraction, also known as Valves. The Semilunar Valves open to let blood exit into the pulmonary artery and aorta during ventricular systole, or contraction of the ventricles. The AV Valves seal to stop blood from flowing backward into the atria....

What are AV Valves?

The atrioventricular (AV) Valves of the heart are specialised Valves that are necessary for regulating blood flow between the atria, or upper chambers, and the ventricles, or lower chambers. Two AV Valves, such as the bicupsid and tricupsid valves, are present in each individual’s heart. The AV Valves open and close in time with the cardiac cycle to ensure a one way flow of blood through the heart. When the ventricles contract, blood flows into the atria through the AV Valves, which close during ventricular contraction and open during atrial contraction. For enough circulation to continue and to stop blood from flowing backward into the heart chambers, the AV Valves must operate properly. Diseases like regurgitation or stenosis can result from these Valves malfunctions, which can lower the heart pump’s overall effectiveness....

What are Semilunar Valves?

To regulate blood flow out of the heart, the human heart has two valves called Semilunar Valves that are located at the ventricle outputs. Semilunar Valves, pulmonary and aortic Valves are of two types, just like AV Valves. The Valves cusps‘ half-moon form is referred to as “Semilunar” shape. The chordae tendineae and papillary muscles of Semilunar Valves are absent from AV Valves. Their ability to open and shut is instead dependent on variations in ventricular pressure....

Functions of Heart Valves

Heart Valves are responsible for controlling and ensuring that blood flows through the heart only in one direction. In coordination with the contractions of the heart chambers, the heart Valves function like gates or doors that open and close at certain points during the cardiac cycle. Heart valves may be classified into two primary types: Semilunar Valves and atrioventricular (AV) Valves....

Disorders of Heart Valves

Conditions, when one or more heart Valves malfunction are referred to as heart Valve disorders. Heart Valve problems come in several forms and can impact either the Semilunar or atrioventricular (AV) valves. Heart Valve conditions that are common include:...

FAQs – AV Valves and Semilunar Valves

What is the Difference Between the AV Valves and the Semilunar Valves Function?...