Dorothy FarrarMitralklappe
The mitral valve , also known as the bicuspid valve, is one of the four heart valves. How is the mitral valve structured and what important tasks does it perform? What are the effects of heart valve disease on the human body?
Definition
The term mitral valve has its origin in the Latin word “mitra”. Translated, it means bishop’s hat and due to the similar shape of the heart valve, it was given the name mitral valve. Once constructed, it is assigned to the leaflet valves and is located between the left ventricle and the left atrium. The mitral valve prevents blood from flowing back into the left atrium from the left ventricle.
Anatomy
The heart has a total of four heart valves. The valves are divided into two types: the semilunar valves and the leaflets, which also include the mitral valve. The mitral valve has two thin and delicate connective tissue flaps (cusps) as it already indicates that it belongs to the leaflets.
The anterior cusp (cuspis anterior) and the posterior cusp (cuspis posterior) arise from the connective tissue-like reinforcing ring on the heart. It lies between the left atrium and the left ventricle. During the relaxation phase (diastole) of the heart, the two leaflets protrude into the left ventricle. The pressure is built up in the ventricle (systole) and the two flaps fold back again. They unite and reclose the opening between the left atrium and ventricle.
The edges of the connective tissue flaps are also connected with fine tendon threads . So the individual sails cannot flap up.
Function
The mitral valve is an important part of a healthy cardiovascular system. The main function of the bicuspid valve is to transport the oxygenated blood that has accumulated in the left atrium into the ventricle during the relaxation phase of the ventricle. The diastoic relaxation phase is followed by the systolic contraction.
The mitral valve keeps blood from flowing back into the atria. The blood can only be pumped through the aortic valve into the large circulatory system if the blood circulation is regulated.
Due to the fine connective tissue flaps, the valve on the mitral valve can react very quickly and even with a slight increase in pressure in the chamber, the valve can close again without much loss of time. The fine tendon threads on the edges of the leaflets also fulfill their purpose here, in that they allow the mitral valve to open to the ventricle, but not to invert it into the atrium. The backflow of blood is thus prevented.
Diseases
- Mafran syndrome
- Mitralstenose
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- Mitral valve atresia
Failure of the mitral valve to fully function can have serious effects on systemic circulation. Mitral valve insufficiency is the most common heart disease, which is divided into one of four degrees of severity depending on the functional impairment. In mitral valve insufficiency, the mitral valve no longer closes properly, resulting in a partial backflow of blood into the left atrium.
Insufficiency can be caused by tearing of the tendon threads. A hole in one of the two leaflets or overstretching of the tissue can also trigger mitral valve insufficiency.
Rheumatic fever , which occurs after an upper respiratory tract infection , used to be one of the most common causes of mitral regurgitation. Today, the damage is mostly age-related.
However, diseases such as Mafran syndrome can also lead to impairment of the mitral valve. Mitral valve insufficiency is common after a heart attack.
Mitral stenosis, a widespread heart valve defect that primarily affects women, is usually a congenital deformity or malformation. In mitral stenosis, blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle is reduced. Often, additional connective tissue has formed in the narrowing of the mitral valve , which prevents blood flow. It is also referred to as supravalvular mitral stenosis.
If the flaps thicken or the chordae shorten, other forms of mitral stenosis are the cause.
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a malformation of the heart that occurs together with a malformation of the main artery ( aorta ). The mitral valve has not been created during the development of the embryo in the womb. In very rare cases, the mitral valve is completely closed (mitral valve atresia).
Diseases of the heart express themselves with strong palpitations , nocturnal fits of coughing and shortness of breath during physical exertion. However, the affected people do not feel any symptoms for a long time, so that they appear when a high level is reached.
The doctor can listen to the heart to detect heart murmurs and if a disease is suspected, an ultrasound scan is carried out. An X- ray of the upper body can also be used to diagnose diseases. After a detailed diagnosis, a therapy plan is then developed, which only takes on surgical proportions in severe cases.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.