Definition

Noun: 1. A structure in the heart that ensures blood flows in one direction only: A "cardiac valve" is a biological structure, typically composed of flaps of tissue, that opens to allow blood to flow forward through the heart's chambers or major vessels and closes to prevent it from flowing backward.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The echocardiogram showed that one of her cardiac valves was not closing properly.
  • Surgeons replaced the damaged cardiac valve with a mechanical one.
  • A common condition is the hardening of a cardiac valve, which can restrict blood flow.

Advanced Usage

• "Valve function": Refers to how well a cardiac valve opens and closes.
  • The patient's symptoms were due to deteriorating valve function.
• "Valve disease/disorder": A general term for any condition affecting a cardiac valve.
  • Rheumatic fever can lead to valve disease later in life.

Variants and Related Words

• Heart valve: A more common synonym for "cardiac valve."
• Atrioventricular valve (AV valve): A specific type of cardiac valve located between a heart atrium and ventricle (e.g., the mitral and tricuspid valves).
• Semilunar valve: A specific type of cardiac valve located where blood exits the ventricles (e.g., the aortic and pulmonary valves).
• Valvular (adj): Pertaining to or affecting a valve or valves.
  • The patient was diagnosed with valvular heart disease.

Synonyms

• Heart valve

Related Phrases

• Valve replacement/repair: Surgical procedures to fix a faulty cardiac valve.
  • He underwent valve replacement surgery last year.
• Valve regurgitation/leak: A condition where a valve does not close tightly, allowing blood to leak backward.
• Valve stenosis: A condition where a valve becomes narrowed or stiff, restricting blood flow.

Noun

1. a valve to control one-way flow of blood