tricuspídális

Tricúspidal refers to a structure possessing three cusps or points. In human anatomy, the most prominent example is the tricuspid valve, one of the four valves of the heart. This valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Its primary function is to ensure unidirectional blood flow, preventing the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium during ventricular contraction (systole). The tricuspid valve consists of three leaflets, or cusps, which open to allow blood to flow from the atrium to the ventricle and close to prevent it from returning.

The tricuspid valve plays a crucial role in the cardiac cycle. During diastole, when the ventricles are relaxed, the tricuspid valve opens, allowing deoxygenated blood from the body to enter the right ventricle from the right atrium. As the right ventricle begins to contract, the pressure within it rises, causing the tricuspid valve to snap shut. This closure is essential to direct the blood forward into the pulmonary artery towards the lungs for oxygenation. Any abnormalities or damage to the tricuspid valve, such as stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage), can lead to significant cardiovascular problems, affecting the heart's efficiency and overall circulation.