Visit this site (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/heartvalve) to observe an echocardiogram of actual heart valves opening and closing. Although much of the heart has been “removed” from this gif loop so the chordae tendineae are not visible, why is their presence more critical for the atrioventricular valves (tricuspid and mitral) than the semilunar (aortic and pulmonary) valves?
To analyze:
Why the presence of chordae tendineae is more critical for the atrioventricular valves than semilunar valves.
Introduction:
Chordae tendineae also called the heartstrings are closely associated with the papillary muscles of the atrioventricular valves. The semilunar valves, however, lack them.
Explanation of Solution
The atrioventricular valves are situated between the auricles and ventricles − the tricuspid valve between the right auricle and the right ventricle while the mitral or bicuspid valve between the left auricle and the left ventricle. They have papillary muscles attached to them. The chordae tendineae are string-like tendons which connect these valves to the papillary muscles.
During the pumping action of the heart, immense intraventricular pressure is created during systole or ventricular contraction. The atrioventricular valves shut their cusps to ensure no backflow of blood occurs from the ventricles to the auricles. The chordae tendineae play a vital role in holding the cusps of these valves in place and preventing the prolapsing of the mitral and tricuspid valves.
If we talk of the semilunar valves, their role to avoid back flow of blood is at the sites and situations where the pressure of the blood is lower compared to the atrioventricular valves. The pulmonary valve is present at the junction of the right ventricle and the pulmonary trunk. The aortic valve is present at the junction of the left ventricle and the aorta.
During the ventricular systole when the pressure in ventricles becomes greater than the pulmonary artery or the aorta these valves open an allow blood to flow though them. When the pressure in the ventricles decreases during diastole, these valves close on their own. Since their closure is directly associated with the lower pressure of blood they do not require strong tendons like chordae tendineae to keep them in position.
The mechanism and role of the closing of atrioventricular valves and the semilunar valves are directly related to the intraventricular pressure during the pumping action of the heart. During systole, when intra ventricular pressure is high the bicuspid and tricuspid valves close while the semilunar valves open. During diastole or low intraventricular pressure, the situation is reversed. Hence, the presence of chordae tendineae is more critical of atrioventricular valves than the semilunar valves.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 19 Solutions
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Biological Science (6th Edition)
Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach (3rd Edition)
Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach (8th Edition)
Campbell Biology in Focus (2nd Edition)
Introductory Chemistry (6th Edition)
Campbell Biology: Concepts & Connections (9th Edition)
- Figure 40.11 Which of the following statements about the heart is false? The mitral valve separates the left ventricle from the left atrium. Blood travels through the bicuspid valve to the left atrium. Both the aortic and the pulmonary valves are semilunar valves. The mitral valve is an atrioventricular valve.arrow_forwardLabel the hearts main parts in the diagram below.arrow_forwardWhat is the tissue type for the following structures of the heart Fibrous pericardium Serous pericardium Myocardium Endocardium Right atrium right Ventricle Left Atrium Left Ventricle Auricles Papillary muscles Fossa Ovalis Pectinate Muscles Chordae Tendinae Interventricular septum Tricuspid, pulmonary, Bicuspid, mitral, and Aortic semilunar valves pulmonary trunk Pulmonary artery Aorta Arteries Sinus/veinsarrow_forward
- The right and left atria of the heart look alike and perform similar functional demands. The right and left ventricle are very different, structurally and functionally. Why are the atria similarities and the difference in the ventricles significant in the role they play in the functional activity of the heart? How would these differences be manifested on an EKG, with details given to the P wave and QRS complex?arrow_forwardWhen the semilunar valves are open the heart is in systole. True Falsearrow_forwardUse an arrow to indicate where DORV would occur on the flow chart (right ventricle to aorta and pulmonary trunk)arrow_forward
- The following are cardiac cycle events. Place them the correct order, beginning with ventricular ejection. ventricular ejection ventricular systole semilunarvalves open Ventricular diastole/semilunarvalves close atrial systole begins AV valves open ventricles fill passively to 70-80% Ventricles fill with last 20-30% isvolumetric contraction isovolumetric relaxationarrow_forwardIn all humans the first three arteries to branch off of the aortic arch are brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery. True False Fossa ovalis exists in a fetal heart and turns into foramen ovale upon birth. True False Atrial muscles contract from the base down, while ventricular muscles contract from the apex upwards. True False Capillary hydrostatic pressure is higher than the capillary osmotic pressure at the beginning of the capillary, but is lower at the end of the capillary. True Falsearrow_forwardThe standard EKG consists of 10 sensors that record 12 leads of the heart’s electrical activity from different angles, allowing for a thorough three-dimensional interpretation of its activity. This is transmitted by the electrodes to the equipment to be interpreted and is used to diagnose cardiac medical conditions. In case of an abnormal EKG, the second step would be to use a Holter monitor. How would you explain to your classmates how to perform an EKG (steps)? Where will you place the electrodes when performing and EKG? Why? What are the different lead types, connections, and placements? When you conclude an EKG, what are the different components that you need to observe and confirm before you disconnect the patient? Can you explain the difference between normal, abnormal, and artifacts? What is a Holter monitor? Under what circumstances would one be ordered for a patient? How do you use a Holter monitor? Educate a patient: What you will do before, during, and after an…arrow_forward
- Which of the following statements is correct regarding the cardiac conduction system: A the AV node is the natural pacemaker B C D internodal fibers conduct signals to the atrial myocardial cells to contract the R/L bundle branches are located in the interatrial septum the bundle of His sends a signal to the papillary muscles to contractarrow_forwardA cardiologist is speaking with a nurse about a patients myocardial infarction location after the cardiac catheterization was performed. The physician explains that there was a blockage in the large artery that supplies the anterior wall of the left ventricle. As the nurse, which of the arteries is he referring to? Left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) xPosterior descending coronary artery (PDA) Circumflex coronary artery Right coronary artery (RCA)arrow_forwardIn which septum is it normal to find openings in the adult heart? Group of answer choices interventricular septum atrioventricular septum nasal septum interatrial septumarrow_forward
- Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168130Author:Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark WomblePublisher:OpenStax CollegeBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStax
- Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage LearningComprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a...NursingISBN:9781305964792Author:Wilburta Q. Lindh, Carol D. Tamparo, Barbara M. Dahl, Julie Morris, Cindy CorreaPublisher:Cengage LearningFundamentals of Sectional Anatomy: An Imaging App...BiologyISBN:9781133960867Author:Denise L. LazoPublisher:Cengage Learning