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Mitral valve

The mitral valve separates the left upper chamber (left atrium) and left lower chamber (left ventricle) of the heart. The mitral valve is formed from two downward-facing flaps.

  • The valve opens when the heart relaxes, allowing blood to flow from the left upper chamber into the left lower chamber of the heart.
  • The valve normally closes smoothly when the heart pumps blood out of the left lower chamber to the body.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Last Revised February 10, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: February 10, 2010
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