When it comes to the heart, valves are one of the vital parts. The location of valves is inside the chambers. For the whole circulatory system, valves perform an important function. The aortic valve and mitral valve are two kinds of valves.
The aortic valve and mitral valve assure that blood flow through the heart should be unidirectional. They both are located in the heart’s left side and allow the oxygenated blood to flow. Still, there are many differences between the aortic valve and mitral valve which can be clear up by this article.
Aortic Valve vs Mitral Valve
The main difference between the aortic valve and mitral valve is the location. The aortic valve is located in the middle of the left ventricle and the aorta. On the flip side, the mitral valve is located in the middle of the left atrium and left ventricle. The aortic valve comprises three flaps, whereas the mitral valve is comprised of two flaps.
In the human heart, the aortic valve is located in the middle of the left ventricle and the aorta. It generally consists of three leaflets or cusps. It is the last structure present in the heart, and through systematic circulation, the blood travels before stopping the flow.
The left atrioventricular valve and the bicuspid valve are other names popular for the Mitral valve. It lies in the middle of the left atrium and left ventricle. The tricuspid valve and the mitral valve are collectively known as the atrioventricular valves. This is because they lie in the middle of the atria and ventricles. In the heart, this valve is generally consisting of two flaps.
Comparison Table Between Aortic Valve and Mitral Valve
| Parameters of Compadrison | Aortic Valve | Mitral Valve |
|---|---|---|
| Location | In the middle of the left ventricle and the aorta | In the middle of the left atrium and left ventricle |
| Type of valve | Semilunar valves | Atrioventricular valves |
| Rhythm | When the mitral valve opens aortic valve closes | When the aortic valve opens mitral valves closes |
| Role | Supplies blood to the aorta | Supplies blood to the left ventricle |
| Flaps | Three flaps | Two flaps |
What is Aortic Valve?
Among the semilunar valve, the aortic valve is one of the two kinds. It is generally located in the middle of the left ventricle and the aorta. Commonly, the semilunar valves are quite similar to the valves present in the veins compared to the atrioventricular valves present in the heart.
To allow the flow into the aorta of the oxygenated blood at the ventricle systole the left ventricle contracts. The chief artery of the body is the aorta and throughout the body supplies oxygenated blood.
The ventricle relaxes at diastole and inside the ventricle leads to low pressure. As a result, the blood present inside the aorta moves back to the left ventricle. But to prevent this situation, the aortic valves close themselves. Also, the mitral valve contributes by opening and allow the left ventricle for blood flow.
This process allows the supply of the blood with pressure to the aorta. There are mainly two types of clinical conditions related to the aortic valve are aortic stenosis and aortic insufficiency/ aortic regurgitation.
What is Mitral Valve?
Among the left atrioventricular valve, the mitral valve is one of the two types. It is located in the middle of the left atrium and the left ventricle. Since it is consisting of two flaps, this valve is known as a bicuspid valve. From the left atrium to the ventricle, it allows the blood flow in indirection.
Through the pulmonary veins, the left atrium from the lungs receives oxygenated blood. With the help of the left ventricle, this blood is transferred to the aorta. During this systole or the contraction of the left ventricle for blood supply then the pressurized blood tries to enter the left atrium.
After this, the mitral valve comes into the role to prevent the blood flow in the backward direction. At this moment, the mitral valve is generally closed. Again, the left ventricle can access the blood flow when the mitral valves open.
There are mainly three types of clinical problems that occur in the mitral valve. The first is the mitral valve prolapse is in which the muscles of the valve start losing. The second is mitral valve stenosis, and the last is mitral valve regurgitation.
Main Differences Between Aortic Valve and Mitral Valve
- Chordae tendineae generally helps to prevent the valves from getting invert. The aortic valve does not consist of chordae tendineae, whereas the mitral valve contains chordae tendineae.
- The chief clinical condition aortic stenosis occurs in the aortic valve. On the other hand, a clinical condition, namely mitral valve prolapse occurs in the mitral valve.
- The aortic valve is responsible during the ventricular diastole to prevent the backward blood flow to the left ventricle. But during the ventricular systole mitral valve prevents the backward blood flow to the left atrium.
- The semilunar valve closure together with the aortic valve produces the second heart or dub sound, while the closure of the atrioventricular valves together with the mitral valve produces the first heart or lub sound.
- From the left ventricle, the aortic valve supplies the blood. On the flip side, from the left atrium, the mitral valve supplies the blood.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the aortic valve and mitral valve are located in the heart’s left side, mainly inside the chambers. The aortic valve is located in the middle of the left ventricle and the aorta. On the other hand, the mitral valve is located in the middle of the left atrium and left ventricle.
When it comes to rhythm, in the aortic valve when the mitral valve opens aortic valve closes. But in the mitral valve, when the aortic valve opens mitral valve closes. The main function of the aortic valve is to supply blood to the aorta, whereas the mitral valve supplies blood to the left ventricle.
References
- https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203737163/aortic-valve-mano-thubrikar
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673605178696