The diaphragm separates the thoracic cavity containing the heart and lungs, from the abdominal cavity and performs an important function in respiration: as the diaphragm contracts, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases and air is drawn into the lungs.he superior surface of the dome forms the floor of the thoracic cavity, and the inferior surface the roof of the abdominal cavity. As a dome, the diaphragm has peripheral attachments to structures that make up the abdominal and chest walls.
A American Heart Association-Stroke Association answered. The four valves in your heart are made of thin (but strong) flaps (cusps) of tissue that open and close as your heart pumps. They make sure that blood flows through your heart in the right direction. Your valves work hard as they stretch back and forth with every heartbeat.
There are also two semilunar valves; one between the right ventricle and the lungs (pulmonary semilunar valve) and one between the left ventricle and the aorta (aortic semilunar valve). The main purpose of the valves is to prevent backflow of blood in the heart. There are things called the chordae tendinae and papillary muscle that help control the opening and closing of the valves as blood flows through them. There are also valves in the veins.