Essay Sample on Atrioventricular and Semilunar Valves

Introduction

Valves are essential in the human circulatory system. The heart contains two types of valves, the atrioventricular valves, and semilunar valves. The values regulate the flow of the blood in blood vessels and at the same time prevent blood flow back in the blood vessels (Thubrikar, 2018).

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Atrioventricular Valves

Atrioventricular valves are of two types the tricuspid valves and the bicuspid valves. And are found in the atria and ventricles. Atrioventricular valves connect the atria and the ventricles. The tricuspid valve is found between the right atrium and right ventricle (Thubrikar, 2018). It allows filling of the right atrium with blood when it is opened and prevents back flow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium. The bicuspid valve also known as the mitral valve receives blood from the pulmonary vein (Thubrikar, 2018). The valve opens to allow the flow of blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle and prevents back flow of blood.

Semilunar Valves

Semilunar valves have a halfmoon-shape and are found between the left ventricle and the aorta and between the left ventricle and the pulmonary artery (Thubrikar, 2018). There are two types of semilunar valves which include pulmonary valve and the aortic valve. The pulmonary valve is found between the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle. Pulmonary valves open to allow the flow of deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The valves prevent backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery to the left ventricle (Thubrikar, 2018). Aortic valves are located between the aorta and left ventricle, allow for outflow of oxygenated blood from the heart to different body parts. Like any other heart valves, the aortic valve also prevents backflow of blood to the left ventricle.

The atrioventricular valves and the semilunar valves allow for swift pumping of blood and eliminating blood backflow. Structurally, atrioventricular valves are thin, composed of the endocardium and connective tissue (Thubrikar, 2018). On the other hand, the semilunar valves are made of flaps of endocardium along with connective tissue with the reinforcement of fibers which prevent the valves from turning inside out during pumping of blood (Thubrikar, 2018).

Structural Heart Defects

Atrial Septal Defect(ASD)

An atrial septal defect is characterized by a hole between the atria of the heart (Prieto, 2018). This condition is prevalent in newborns. The hole allows for the mixing of the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood with blood flowing from the left atrium to the right atrium. Blood is mixed and transported to the lungs for oxygenation even though the blood contains oxygen. ASD treatment depends on the diagnosis age, severity of symptoms, hole size and the probability of other conditions (Prieto, 2018). There is no particular medication for treatment of ASD, but surgery can be administered to close the hole in early stages.

References

Prieto, L. R. (2018). Outcomes After Device Closure of Atrial Septal Defect in Children: The Present Is Good, Is the Future Brighter?.

Thubrikar, M. (2018). The aortic valve. Routledge.