Which valve directly follows the right ventricle in the heart's blood-flow pathway?

Which valve directly follows the right ventricle in the heart's blood-flow pathway?

• A. Tricuspid valve
• B. Aortic valve
• C. Pulmonary valve
• D. Bicuspid valve

Answer: (C)

From the right ventricle, blood is pumped into the pulmonary artery through the pulmonary valve. This semilunar valve opens to send blood to the lungs for oxygenation and closes to prevent backflow into the ventricle. The other valves sit in different locations: the tricuspid valve lies between the right atrium and right ventricle, the mitral (bicuspid) valve lies between the left atrium and left ventricle, and the aortic valve sits between the left ventricle and the aorta. So the valve directly after the right ventricle in the blood flow is the pulmonary valve.

From the right ventricle, blood is pumped into the pulmonary artery through the pulmonary valve. This semilunar valve opens to send blood to the lungs for oxygenation and closes to prevent backflow into the ventricle. The other valves sit in different locations: the tricuspid valve lies between the right atrium and right ventricle, the mitral (bicuspid) valve lies between the left atrium and left ventricle, and the aortic valve sits between the left ventricle and the aorta. So the valve directly after the right ventricle in the blood flow is the pulmonary valve.