Final answer:
The tricuspid valve, located between the right atrium and right ventricle, has three leaflets connected to the papillary muscles by chordae tendineae, ensuring blood flows in one direction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anatomy of the Tricuspid Valve
The tricuspid valve is a complex structure located between the right atrium and the right ventricle of the heart, ensuring unidirectional blood flow during cardiac cycles. It is also known as the right atrioventricular valve (or AV valve). The tricuspid valve consists of three leaflets or flaps namely the anterior, posterior, and septal leaflets. These leaflets are made of endocardium, which is reinforced with additional connective tissue to provide the necessary stability and flexibility during heartbeats.
The leaflets are anchored to the papillary muscles of the right ventricle via chordae tendineae, fibrous strands composed primarily of collagenous fibers. The chordae tendineae play a critical role in preventing the leaflets from inverting and allowing blood to flow backward. There are three main papillary muscles in the right ventricle: the anterior, the posterior, and the septal papillary muscles, which correspond to the valve's three leaflets. Together, the coordinated action of papillary muscles and chordae tendineae facilitates the proper opening and closing of the tricuspid valve during the cardiac cycle.