Final answer:
Prolapse generally means the displacement of a part or organ of the body. In cardiology, a prolapsed valve occurs when a heart valve's cusp is pushed backward, often due to damage to the chordae tendineae, leading to regurgitation and a heart murmur.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term prolapse refers to the displacement of a body part, typically describing a condition where an organ or structure slips out of its usual position. In the context of cardiology, a prolapsed valve is when one of the valve's cusps is forced backward due to the force of the blood. This can occur if the chordae tendineae, which are the cords that anchor the valves, are damaged or broken. A prolapsed valve can lead to the failure of the valve to close properly, causing a disruption in the normal one-way flow of blood. This may result in regurgitation, a condition where blood flows backward, and a detectable heart murmur when listened to with a stethoscope.