Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

Which valve is located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery?

1. Aortic valve

2. Pulmonary valve

3. Tricuspid valve

4. Bicuspid valve

The correct answer is: Pulmonary valve

The valve located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery is the pulmonary valve. This valve plays a crucial role in the circulatory system by controlling blood flow from the heart to the lungs. After the right ventricle contracts, the pulmonary valve opens to allow deoxygenated blood to be pumped into the pulmonary artery, which carries the blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The function of the pulmonary valve is to prevent backflow of blood into the right ventricle once the ventricle has finished contracting. When the pressure in the right ventricle falls below the pressure in the pulmonary artery during diastole (the heart's relaxation phase), the valve closes. This closing action ensures that blood does not return to the ventricle, maintaining efficient forward flow of blood toward the lungs for oxygen exchange. In contrast, the aortic valve is located between the left ventricle and the aorta, the tricuspid valve is situated between the right atrium and right ventricle, and the bicuspid (or mitral) valve is found between the left atrium and left ventricle. Each of these valves has a distinct anatomical location and function, further clarifying why the pulmonary valve is the correct