Trileaflet

Trileaflet refers to a structure composed of three leaflets or flaps. This term is most commonly encountered in the context of biology, specifically concerning valves. Heart valves, for instance, can be trileaflet, meaning they possess three distinct cusps or leaflets that open and close to regulate blood flow. The aortic valve and the pulmonary valve in the human heart are examples of trileaflet valves. These leaflets work in coordination, opening to allow forward flow and closing to prevent backward leakage. The shape and arrangement of these leaflets are crucial for efficient valve function. In pathology, abnormalities in the development or function of trileaflet valves can lead to various heart conditions. Beyond the heart, the term "trileaflet" might appear in descriptions of other anatomical structures or even in some engineered systems where a three-part flexible barrier is employed. The principle remains the same: a division into three distinct, often flexible, components.