What separates the left atrium from the left ventricle?

What separates the left atrium from the left ventricle?

• A. Tricuspid valve
• B. Mitral (Bicuspid) valve
• C. Pulmonary valve
• D. Aortic valve

Answer: (B)

The mitral valve sits between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It’s also called the bicuspid valve and acts as the left atrioventricular valve. Its job is to allow blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle during diastole and to prevent backflow when the ventricle contracts (systole). The other valves are in different locations: the tricuspid valve between the right atrium and right ventricle; the pulmonary valve at the outflow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery; and the aortic valve at the outflow from the left ventricle to the aorta.

The mitral valve sits between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It’s also called the bicuspid valve and acts as the left atrioventricular valve. Its job is to allow blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle during diastole and to prevent backflow when the ventricle contracts (systole). The other valves are in different locations: the tricuspid valve between the right atrium and right ventricle; the pulmonary valve at the outflow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery; and the aortic valve at the outflow from the left ventricle to the aorta.