The tricuspid valve guards the opening between the right atrium and right ventricle. It has three leaflets (anterior, posterior and septal) anchored by chordae tendineae to papillary muscles, which stop the leaflets flipping back into the atrium. It is the largest of the four heart valves.
| Location | Right atrioventricular orifice, lying behind the right half of the sternum at about the level of the fourth intercostal space. It is best heard at the lower left sternal border. |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
Opens in diastole to let blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle and closes in systole to prevent backflow, contributing to the first heart sound.
Mild tricuspid regurgitation is common and harmless; significant regurgitation usually results from right ventricular dilation rather than a diseased valve. Tricuspid valve infective endocarditis is classically associated with injecting drug use and can seed septic emboli to the lungs. Pacing leads cross this valve and occasionally cause regurgitation.
Leakage of blood back into the right atrium during systole, usually secondary to right ventricular enlargement or pulmonary hypertension. It causes raised neck veins, liver congestion and leg swelling.
Infection of the valve leaflets, most often in people who inject drugs. Fragments can break off and lodge in the lungs as septic emboli.
A congenital defect in which the septal and posterior leaflets are displaced down into the right ventricle. It causes regurgitation and is associated with accessory conduction pathways.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
