trikuspidaaliläpän

The trikuspidaaliläppä, or tricuspid valve in English, is a heart valve located between the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart. It is one of the four main valves of the heart, responsible for ensuring unidirectional blood flow. The tricuspid valve has three leaflets, or cusps, which are thin, flexible flaps of tissue. These cusps open to allow blood to flow from the right atrium into the right ventricle during diastole (heart relaxation) and close tightly during systole (heart contraction) to prevent blood from flowing backward into the atrium.

The function of the tricuspid valve is crucial for the efficient pumping of blood through the pulmonary circulation. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body, and the tricuspid valve's opening allows this blood to enter the right ventricle. When the right ventricle contracts, it pumps this deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. A properly functioning tricuspid valve is essential to maintain this flow and prevent regurgitation, which is the backward flow of blood.

Problems with the tricuspid valve can lead to various medical conditions. Tricuspid regurgitation occurs when the valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak back into the right atrium. Tricuspid stenosis is a condition where the valve leaflets become stiff and narrow, obstructing blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle. These conditions can strain the right side of the heart and affect the overall function of the cardiovascular system. Diagnosis often involves echocardiography, which uses ultrasound to visualize the heart and its valves.