Answer :
The function of the heart valves is to c) prevent backflow of blood, ensuring unidirectional flow through the heart. The four valves are the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves.
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins return it, with veins having valves to prevent backflow.
The function of the heart valves is to c) prevent backflow of blood within the heart. These valves ensure that blood flows through the heart in one direction only.
The four valves of the heart, which are the tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, mitral (or bicuspid) valve, and aortic valve, operate by opening to let blood flow through and closing to stop it from flowing backward.
Their unidirectional operation is crucial to maintaining efficient circulation throughout the body.
Valves are found not only in the heart but also in veins to prevent the backflow of blood as it returns to the heart.
However, it's important to correct a common misconception: it is the arteries that carry blood away from the heart, and veins bring it back.
Unlike veins, most arteries do not contain valves because the blood pressure within them from the heart's pumping action is sufficient to prevent backflow.
Common False Statements about the Heart
- The mitral valve separates the left ventricle from the left atrium (True).
- Blood does not travel through the mitral valve to the left atrium; instead, it travels from the left atrium to the left ventricle (False).
- Both the aortic and the pulmonary valves are semilunar valves (True).
- The mitral valve is indeed an atrioventricular valve (True).
