Mitral valve differences, opening when there is greater pressure in the left atrium than ventricle, and closing when there is greater pressure in the ventricle than atrium. In abnormal conditions, blood may flow backwards through the valve (mitral regurgitation) or the mitral valve may be narrowed (mitral stenosis). Rheumatic heart disease often affects the mitral valve; the valve may also prolapse with age, and be affected by infective endocarditis. The mitral valve is named after the mitre of a bishop, which resembles its flaps. The mitral valve is typically in area, and sits in the left heart between the left atrium and
Mitral valve prolapse when the mitral valve leaflets are displaced more than 2 mm above the mitral annulus high points. The condition can be further divided into classic and nonclassic subtypes based on the thickness of the mitral valve leaflets: up to 5 mm is considered nonclassic, while anything beyond 5 mm is considered classic MVP. Classical prolapse may be subdivided into symmetric and asymmetric, referring to the point at which leaflet tips join the mitral annulus. In symmetric coaptation, leaflet tips meet at a common point on the annulus. Asymmetric coaptation is marked by one leaflet displaced toward the atrium with respect