# What is the mitral valve?

The mitral valve is called the mitral valve (bicuspid valve). Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as a two-leaflet valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. Also called the bicuspid valve because it has two cusps.

## What it means

- A two-leaflet valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.
- Named for its resemblance to a bishop's mitre.
- Prevents backflow of blood into the atrium when the ventricle contracts.

## Action steps

1. Between the left atrium and the left ventricle.
2. Its leaflets are anchored by thin cords (chordae tendineae) to papillary muscles in the ventricle wall.
3. Opens during ventricular filling; closes during ventricular contraction.

## Sources

- [Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (1918)](https://www.bartleby.com/107/)

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