Heart Valves and Heart Sounds (2024)

What Are Heart Valves?

Valves are flap-like structures that allow blood to flow in one direction. Heart valves are vital to the proper circulation of blood in the body. The heart has two kinds of valves, atrioventricular and semilunar valves. These valves open and close during the cardiac cycle to direct the flow of blood through the heart chambers and out to the rest of the body. Heart valves are formed from elastic connective tissue which provides the flexibility needed to open and close properly. Malfunctioning heart valves inhibit the heart's ability to pump blood and life giving oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body.

Atrioventricular (AV) Valves

The atrioventricular valves are thin structures that are composed of endocardium and connective tissue. They are located between the atria and the ventricles.

Semilunar Valves

The semilunar valves are flaps of endocardium and connective tissue reinforced by fibers which prevent the valves from turning inside out. They are shaped like a half moon, hence the name semilunar (semi-, -lunar). The semilunar valves are located between the aorta and the left ventricle, and between the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle.

Pulmonary Valve: This heart valve is located between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. When closed, it prevents the back flow of blood as it is pumped from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. When open, it allows oxygen-depleted blood to be pumped from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. This blood goes onto the lungs where it picks up oxygen.
Aortic Valve: This heart valve is located between the left ventricle and aorta. When closed, it allows blood from the left atrium to fill the left ventricle and prevents the back flow of blood that is pumped from the left ventricle to the aorta. When open, oxygen-rich blood can flow to the aorta and onto the rest of the body.

During the cardiac cycle, blood circulates from the right atrium to the right ventricle, from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery, from the pulmonary artery to the lungs, from the lungs to the pulmonary veins, from the pulmonary veins to the left atrium, from the left atrium to the left ventricle, and from the left ventricle to the aorta and on to the rest of the body. In this cycle, blood passes through the tricuspid valve first, then the pulmonary valve, mitral valve, and finally the aortic valve. During the diastole phase of the cardiac cycle, the atrioventricular valves are open and semilunar valves closed. During the systole phase, the atrioventricular valves close and the semilunar valves open.

Heart Sounds

The audible sounds that can be heard from the heart are made by the closing of the heart valves. These sounds are referred to as the "lub-dupp" sounds. The "lub" sound is made by the contraction of the ventricles and the closing of the atrioventricular valves. The "dupp" sound is made by the semilunar valves closing.

Heart Valve Disease

When heart valves become damaged or diseased, they don't function properly. If valves don't open and close properly, blood flow becomes disrupted and body cells don't get the nutrient supply they need. The two most common types of valve dysfunction are valve regurgitation and valve stenosis. These conditions put stress on the heart causing it to have to work much harder to circulate blood. Valve regurgitation occurs when valves don't close correctly allowing blood to flow backward into the heart. In valve stenosis, valve openings become narrow due to enlarged or thickened valve flaps. This narrowing restricts blood flow. A number of complications may result from heart valve disease including blood clots, heart failure, and stroke. Damaged valves can sometimes be repaired or replaced with surgery.