Question

What is the purpose of heart valves? How many valves does the heart contain?

Answer 1

Heart is a muscular organ which is present behind and is tilted slightly to the left side of the breastbone. The heart is surrounded by a membrane which is double layered. It protects the heart.

Complete answer:
Heart valves have flap-like structures called leaflets or cusps. These leaflets which are pushed open to allow blood flow and which then close together to prevent backflow of blood.
Heart valves contribute greatly to the proper functioning of the heart.

The Human heart has four valves. The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. The bicuspid valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It is also called the mitral valve. The tricuspid and bicuspid valves are also called the semilunar (SL) valves. The pulmonary valve is located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. The aortic valve is located between the left ventricle and the aorta. The pulmonary and aortic valve are also called the atrioventricular (AV) valves.

The main function of all heart valves is the prevention of backflow of blood. More specifically, the tricuspid valve prevents the backflow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium; the bicuspid valve prevents the backflow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium; the semilunar valve prevents the backflow of blood from the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle; the aortic valve prevents the backflow of blood from the aorta to the left ventricle.

The malfunctioning of heart valves can lead to backflow of blood as the valves do not close completely. The heart valve opening sometimes becomes narrowed or valves become damaged or stiff. This can also lead to cardiovascular disease.

Note: There are 4 heart valves in the human heart. The main function of heart valves is prevention of backflow of blood. The various functions of heart are,
1)They carry oxygen and nutrients to the entire body
2)They pump blood throughout the lifetime of an individual ensuring that blood reaches all parts of the body.
3)It is also involved in regulation of body temperature.