Which valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart?

The valve located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart is known as the bicuspid valve, also referred to as the mitral valve. This valve has two cusps, or flaps, that open to allow blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle during diastole (the filling phase of the cardiac cycle). When the left ventricle contracts during systole, the bicuspid valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back into the atrium and instead directs it into the aorta for systemic circulation. This function is crucial for maintaining efficient blood flow and proper pressure within the heart chambers.

The other valves mentioned serve different roles in the heart. The tricuspid valve is between the right atrium and right ventricle, while the aortic valve is located between the left ventricle and the aorta. The pulmonary valve is found between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Understanding the specific location and function of these valves is key to grasping how the heart functions as a pump in the circulatory system.