Final answer:
The tricuspid valve is a one-way valve with three tissue flaps situated between the heart's right atrium and ventricle, ensuring blood flows correctly during the cardiac cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tricuspid valve, also known as the right atrioventricular valve, is a one-way valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart. It consists of three flaps of tissue, or leaflets, which open to allow blood to flow from the atrium to the ventricle and close to prevent blood from flowing backward into the atrium during ventricular contraction. This valve plays an essential role in ensuring unidirectional circulation of blood through the heart.
During the systole phase of the cardiac cycle, the ventricles contract, pumping blood into the arteries. The tricuspid valve's leaflets are connected to the papillary muscles via chordae tendineae, which help control the opening and closing of the valve, providing smooth blood flow from the atrium to the ventricle.