What is the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle also called?

• A. Bicuspid valve
• B. Tricuspid valve
• C. Pulmonary semilunar valve
• D. Aortic semilunar valve

Answer: (A)

The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle is the mitral valve, also called the bicuspid valve. It has two leaflets, which is why it’s named bicuspid. Its job is to open and allow blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle when the atrium contracts, and then close to prevent backflow when the left ventricle contracts. This ensures one-way flow into the high-pressure systemic circulation.

For context, the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle is the tricuspid valve, and the two semilunar valves are the pulmonary semilunar valve (between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery) and the aortic semilunar valve (between the left ventricle and the aorta).