ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
17th Edition
ISBN: 9781630180928
Author: OpenStax
Publisher: OPENSTAX C
bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 19, Problem 1ILQ

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?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

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.

Conclusion

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?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
The four-chambered heart is a single organ but is sometimes described as a “double pump” because it functions more like two pumps than one. Explain why this is so, including the names of the heart structures involved. please help
A 60-year-old woman receives a coronary angiogram following a myocardial infarction in order to evaluate the condition of her coronary circulation. Most blood draining from the heart wall (myocardium) will return to the heart through which of the following structures? Coronary sinus Superior vena cava Ascending aorta Pulmonary veins Inferior vena cava
Determine whether the statement is either true or false. To clearly hear the heart sound of the bicuspid valve, a stethoscope should be placed to the left of the sternum at the second intercostal space. At late diastole, the atria and ventricles are relaxed and the aortic semilunar valve is open. During ventricular contraction all the blood is forced out of the ventricles.

Chapter 19 Solutions

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Ch. 19 - Which portion of the ECG corresponds to...Ch. 19 - Which component of the heart conduction system...Ch. 19 - The cardiac cycle consists of a distinct...Ch. 19 - Most blood enters the ventricle during ________....Ch. 19 - The first heart sound represents which portion of...Ch. 19 - Ventricular relaxation immediately follows...Ch. 19 - The force the heart must overcome to pump blood is...Ch. 19 - The cardiovascular centers are located in which...Ch. 19 - In a healthy young adult, what happens to cardiac...Ch. 19 - What happens to preload when there is venous...Ch. 19 - Which of the following is a positive inotrope? Na+...Ch. 19 - The earliest organ to form and begin function...Ch. 19 - Of the three germ layers that give rise to all...Ch. 19 - The two tubes that eventually fuse to form the...Ch. 19 - Which primitive area of the heart will give rise...Ch. 19 - The pulmonary trunk and aorta are derived from...Ch. 19 - Describe how the valves keep the blood moving in...Ch. 19 - Why is the pressure in the pulmonary circulation...Ch. 19 - Why is the plateau phase so critical to cardiac...Ch. 19 - How does the delay of the impulse at the...Ch. 19 - How do gap junctions and intercalated disks aid...Ch. 19 - Why do the cardiac muscles cells demonstrate...Ch. 19 - Describe one cardiac cycle, beginning with both...Ch. 19 - Why does increasing EDV increase contractility?Ch. 19 - Why is afterload important to cardiac function?Ch. 19 - Why is it so important for the human heart to...Ch. 19 - Describe how the major pumping chambers, the...
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168130
Author:Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark Womble
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Body Structures & Functions
Biology
ISBN:9781285695495
Author:Scott
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...
Biology
ISBN:9781285866932
Author:Lauralee Sherwood
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a...
Nursing
ISBN:9781305964792
Author:Wilburta Q. Lindh, Carol D. Tamparo, Barbara M. Dahl, Julie Morris, Cindy Correa
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Fundamentals of Sectional Anatomy: An Imaging App...
Biology
ISBN:9781133960867
Author:Denise L. Lazo
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Respiratory System; Author: Amoeba Sisters;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_j-LD2YEqg;License: Standard youtube license