Question

A relative of yours has recently been diagnosed with mitral regurgitation, a heart condition where the mitral valve does not function as it normally should. Your relative knows you are studying human physiology and asks you the importance of valves in heart function.

a) Describe the pathway of blood flow through the heart starting from the vena cava and ending at the aorta. Include in your answer the role of the valves in ensuring the one-way direction of blood flow.

b) From your knowledge on the normal role of the mitral valve, what are two potential complications that could arise as a result of mitral regurgitation?

Answer 1

(a). The pathway of blood flow: Deoxygenated blood from lower portion of the body are collected into veins. All the small veins unite to form a larger vein called vena cava. The blood from all the viscera are ultimately poured into it. Vena cava carries the blood and tetminates to right atrium. Blood moves to right ventricle through tricuspid valve. blood reaches to lungs through pulmonary artery from right ventricle.

Pulmonary vein carry the oxygenated blood to left atrium from lungs and then it goes to left ventricle through mitral (bicuspid) valve. Left ventricle contracts to eject the blood into aorta.

(b). As a result of mitral regurgitation, the complications arises are:

i. The blood can leak into left atrium while left ventricle contraction,

ii. There is decrease in stroke volume, results in cardiac output decrement.