Certified Cardiovascular Technician Practice Exam

What is the name of the heart valve that separates the right atrium from the right ventricle?

1. Aortic valve

2. Mitral valve

3. Pulmonary valve

4. Tricuspid valve

The correct answer is: Tricuspid valve

The heart valve that separates the right atrium from the right ventricle is known as the tricuspid valve. This valve is essential in maintaining unidirectional blood flow through the heart, allowing deoxygenated blood to move from the right atrium into the right ventricle while preventing backflow into the atrium when the ventricle contracts. The tricuspid valve has three leaflets, which is characteristic of its structure and contributes to its name "tricuspid." Proper functioning of this valve is crucial for effective cardiac function, as it ensures that the heart operates efficiently in pumping blood to the lungs for oxygenation. In contrast, the aortic valve is located between the left ventricle and the aorta, the mitral valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle, and the pulmonary valve separates the right ventricle from the pulmonary artery. Each of these valves plays distinct and vital roles in the circulatory system, but they are not involved in separating the right atrium from the right ventricle, which is the primary function of the tricuspid valve.