Valve Prolapse means a heart valve leaflet bows backward more than expected during the heartbeat. It most often refers to the mitral valve, which sits between the left atrium and left ventricle. It is commonly discussed when clinicians evaluate a heart murmur, palpitations, or valve leakage. It is usually identified and described using echocardiography (heart ultrasound).

Valve Stenosis means a heart valve opening has become abnormally narrow. This narrowing makes it harder for blood to move forward through the heart. It is commonly discussed in echocardiography reports and cardiology clinic visits. It can involve any of the four heart valves and may progress over time.

Valve Regurgitation means a heart valve does not close fully and some blood leaks backward. It is often described as a “leaky valve” in plain language. Clinicians use the term when discussing echocardiograms, murmurs, and causes of shortness of breath or fatigue. It can involve any of the four heart valves and ranges from mild to severe.

Papillary Muscle refers to small, finger-like muscles inside the heart’s ventricles. They anchor the heart valve “strings” (chordae tendineae) that help the mitral and tricuspid valves close properly. Clinicians commonly reference Papillary Muscle when evaluating valve leakage (regurgitation) and complications of heart attacks. It is most often assessed with echocardiography (heart ultrasound) and sometimes cardiac MRI.

Chordae Tendineae are thin, tendon-like cords inside the heart. They connect the heart’s valve leaflets to the papillary muscles in the ventricles. Their plain role is to help valves close without “flopping backward.” They are most commonly discussed in mitral and tricuspid valve disease and in echocardiography reports.

A Valve Cusp is one of the thin, flexible flaps of tissue that opens and closes to control blood flow through a heart valve. It functions like a door that swings with pressure changes as the heart beats. Clinicians commonly use the term when describing the aortic and pulmonary valves, and sometimes when discussing valve “leaflets.” Valve cusps are assessed on imaging tests and during valve repair or replacement procedures.

A Valve Leaflet is a thin flap of tissue that opens and closes to control one-way blood flow through a heart valve. It helps blood move forward and prevents backward leakage. Valve leaflets are found in the mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves. Clinicians use the term when describing valve anatomy, valve disease, and valve repair or replacement.

The Aortic Annulus is the ring-like structure at the base of the aortic valve. It is the transition zone between the left ventricle and the aorta. Clinicians use the Aortic Annulus as a key reference point when assessing aortic valve disease. It is commonly discussed in echocardiography reports and in planning valve surgery or transcatheter valve procedures.

The Tricuspid Annulus is the fibrous and muscular “ring” that forms the base of the tricuspid valve. It sits between the right atrium (upper right chamber) and right ventricle (lower right chamber). Clinicians reference it in heart imaging, valve disease evaluation, and planning valve repair procedures. Its size and shape can change with the heartbeat and with certain heart conditions.

The Mitral Annulus is the fibrous, ring-like structure that forms the base of the mitral valve in the heart. It sits between the left atrium (upper chamber) and left ventricle (lower chamber). It anchors the mitral valve leaflets and helps them open and close efficiently. Clinicians commonly assess the Mitral Annulus on echocardiography and during mitral valve repair or replacement planning.

The Pulmonary Valve is one of the four valves in the heart. It sits between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Its job is to keep blood moving forward from the heart to the lungs. Clinicians commonly assess it during heart exams and cardiac imaging.

The Pulmonic Valve is one of the four valves of the heart. It sits between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Its job is to keep blood moving forward from the heart to the lungs. Clinicians commonly evaluate it when symptoms or imaging suggest right-sided heart or congenital heart conditions.

The Aortic Valve is one of the four valves inside the heart. It sits between the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber) and the aorta (the body’s main artery). It opens to let oxygen-rich blood leave the heart and closes to prevent blood from leaking backward. It is commonly discussed in echocardiograms, heart murmurs, and valve disease care.

The Tricuspid Valve is one of the four valves in the heart. It sits between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Its job is to keep blood moving forward and reduce backward flow. Clinicians commonly discuss it during cardiac exams, echocardiograms, and valve disease evaluations.

The Mitral Valve is a heart valve that sits between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It opens and closes with each heartbeat to help blood move forward in the correct direction. Clinicians refer to it when evaluating heart murmurs, shortness of breath, and heart failure symptoms. It is commonly assessed on echocardiography and may be treated with repair or replacement when diseased.

The Superior Mesenteric Vein is a major abdominal vein that drains blood from the small intestine and part of the large intestine. It is part of the portal venous system, which carries blood to the liver rather than directly back to the heart. Clinicians most often discuss it when evaluating abdominal pain, intestinal blood-flow problems, or portal vein conditions. It is commonly assessed on abdominal ultrasound and CT scans.

The Inferior Mesenteric Vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the lower part of the large intestine. It is part of the portal venous system, which routes blood from the gut to the liver. Clinicians most often discuss it when interpreting abdominal imaging or planning abdominal surgery. It can also be relevant when evaluating blood clots, portal hypertension, or bowel inflammation.

The Portal Vein is a large vein that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver. It collects nutrient-rich blood from the intestines, spleen, pancreas, and stomach. Clinicians commonly reference it in liver disease, abdominal vascular conditions, and advanced heart failure. It is often evaluated with ultrasound, CT, or MRI when portal hypertension or clot is suspected.

The Saphenous Vein is a superficial vein that runs along the leg and helps return blood back toward the heart. It includes the great saphenous vein and the small saphenous vein. In cardiovascular care, it is commonly discussed as a potential “conduit” (a vessel used as a tube) for bypass surgery. It is also assessed in venous disease, such as varicose veins and venous insufficiency.

The Popliteal Vein is a deep vein located behind the knee in the popliteal fossa. It carries blood from the lower leg upward toward the thigh and back to the heart. Clinicians commonly reference it when evaluating leg swelling, pain, and suspected blood clots.