südameklappi

Südameklapp, often translated as heart valve, is a crucial component of the human heart responsible for ensuring unidirectional blood flow. There are four main heart valves: the tricuspid valve, the pulmonary valve, the mitral valve, and the aortic valve. Each valve opens and closes precisely at different times during the cardiac cycle, driven by pressure changes within the heart chambers.

The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. The pulmonary valve is situated between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. The mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve, lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Finally, the aortic valve connects the left ventricle to the aorta, the body's main artery.

These valves function like one-way doors. When a heart chamber contracts, the pressure inside increases, forcing the valve to open and allowing blood to move forward into the next chamber or blood vessel. When the chamber relaxes, the pressure drops, and the valve snaps shut, preventing blood from flowing backward. This intricate mechanism ensures that oxygenated blood is efficiently pumped to the rest of the body and deoxygenated blood is sent to the lungs for oxygenation.

Dysfunction of heart valves, such as stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage), can lead to significant health problems, affecting the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. These conditions are often treated with medication or, in more severe cases, surgery to repair or replace the faulty valve.