Pulmonary valve
The pulmonary valve is found at the pulmonary orifice just above the conus arteriosus, guarding the outflow of blood from the right ventricle into the pulmonary trunk. It is one of the two semilunar valves of the heart, along with the aortic valve, and is also referred to as the right semilunar valve. It has three semilunar cusps or leaflets (right, left and anterior), which attach partly to the infundibulum (conus arteriosus) and partly to the pulmonary trunk origin.
The free edges of the cusps face upwards into the lumen of the pulmonary trunk such that they form little pockets (pulmonary sinuses) with the wall of the pulmonary trunk. The free edge of the cusp has a thickened middle part called the nodule, and a thinner lateral part called the lunula. The valve is open during systole allowing blood to pass into the pulmonary trunk and closes during diastole to prevent backflow of blood into the right ventricle.
Terminology |
English: Pulmonary valve Latin: Valva trunci pulmonalis |
Structure/location | Three semilunar cusps guarding pulmonary orifice |
Function | Prevents backflow of blood into right ventricle during diastole |
Learn more about the valves of the heart with this study unit:
Pulmonary valve: want to learn more about it?
Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.
What do you prefer to learn with?
“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.”
–
Read more.