Mitral Valve Anatomy


Mechanical and metabolic balance of the valve is maintained by


A. Endothelial cells

B. Interstitial cells

C. Endocardial cells

D. Nerve cells



Mitral annulus is thinnest at


A. Anteriorly

B. Posteriorly

C. Medially

D. Laterally


Which part of mitral valve is more vulnerable to dilatation?


A. Anteriorly

B. Posteriorly

C. Medially

D. Laterally



Which of the following are TRUE about anterior mitral leaflet?


A. Located at the anterior part of the aortic root and fixed to it

B. Located at the posterior part of the aortic root and not fixed to it

C. Located at the posterior part of the aortic root and fixed to it

D. Located at the posterior part of the aortic root and not fixed to it



In comparison to posterior leaflet, Anterior leaflet represents –


A. More annular length and Less surface area

B. More annular length and More surface area

C. Less annular length and More surface area

D. Less annular length and Less surface area



All of the following are CORRECT about anterior leaflet EXCEPT –


A. Semicircular shape

B. Free edge has indentations

C. Larger than posterior leaflet

D. Thicker than posterior leaflet



All of the following are TRUE about anterior leaflet EXCEPT –


A. One-third of the annular ring

B. Two-thirds of the valvular orifice

C. Also called Mural leaflet

D. It has two zones – rough zone and clear zone



Posterior leaflet comprises of ——– of the annular circumference


A. One-Thirds

B. Two-Thirds

C. One-Fourth

D. Three-Fourth



Which of the following only exists in the posterior leaflet and not in anterior leaflet of mitral valve –


A. Basal Zone

B. Clear Zone

C. Rough Zone

D. Basal Zone and Clear Zone



All of the following are TRUE about Primary Chordae tendinae EXCEPT –


A. Primary chordae are thicker

B. Attached to the leaflets at the free edge

C. Prevent leaflet edge to prolapse

D. Also called marginal chordae



Embryological development of Papillary muscles are formed by


A. 6th week

B. 8th week

C. 10th week

D. 12th week



Mitral valve apparatus complete development by week –


A. 12

B. 15

C. 18

D. 21



Posterior papillary muscle is supplied by-


A. RCA

B. LAD

C. Circumflex Artery

D. Major Diagonal


In shorts


Anterior leaflet


  1. Semicircular shape
  2. It has free edge without indentations
  3. It is larger and thicker compared with the posterior leaflet.
  4. It has two zones, the rough zone and clear zone that are separated by a ridge on the atrial surface.
  5. This prominent ridge is located 1 cm from the edge of the anterior leaflet.
  6. During systole – rough zone of the anterior leaflet will be adjacent to the posterior leaflet

Posterior leaflet divides into – three areas zones or segments


  1. Basal zones
  2. Clear zones
  3. Rough zones

Defined as P1, P2, and P3.

The rough zone is distal to the ridge and broadest at the scallops.


Mitral leaflets. The three portions of the posterior mitral leaflet, named from lateral to medial are P1, P2 and P3.

Mitral leaflets. The three portions of the posterior mitral leaflet, named from lateral to medial are P1, P2 and P3.  

Peri-procedural imaging for transcatheter mitral valve replacement – Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Mitral-leaflets-The-three-portions-of-the-posterior-mitral-leaflet-named-from-lateral_fig2_298209486 [accessed 23 Dec, 2022]


Mitral valve anatomy. Schematic representation of the mitral valve in the surgeon view. The mitral valve is composed of anterior and posterior leaflets subdivided into three scallops and joined by anterior and posterior commissures. Intervalvular fibrosa is the continuous junction between the mitral and aortic annulus.

Mitral leaflets. The three portions of the posterior mitral leaflet, named from lateral to medial are P1, P2 and P3.  

Multimodality imaging assessment of mitral valve anatomy in planning for mitral valve repair in secondary mitral regurgitation – Scientific Figure on ResearchGate. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Mitral-valve-anatomy-Schematic-representation-of-the-mitral-valve-in-the-surgeon-view_fig6_318056916 [accessed 23 Dec, 2022]


What are the layers in the leaflets of the mitral valve?


Layers from the histological point of view:


1Fibrosa layerThick collagen fibers
2Atrial layer Thinner and towards the atrial surface- elastic fibers
3Spongiosa layerGlycosaminoglycans (GAG) and Proteoglycans.
4Present on the ventricular sideVery thin layer of elastic fibers – Present in continuity with the elastic fabric of the chordae tendinae.
layers in the leaflets of the mitral valve

  1. Fibrosa-rigid and superficial – thick collagen fibers
  2. Atrial- thinner and towards the atrial surface- elastic fibers
  3. Spongiosa- glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and proteoglycans.
  4. Another layer – very thin layer of elastic fibers – on the ventricular side- present in continuity with the elastic fabric of the chordae tendinae.

What are the types of Chordae tendinae?


  1. Primary or marginal chordae
  2. Secondary or intermediary chordae

Primary or marginal chordae –


  1. Thinner
  2. Attached to the leaflets at the free edge
  3. Preventing leaflet edge to prolapse
  4. Characteristic – being high collagen fibers with reduced tension.

Secondary or intermediary chordae


  1. Thicker than primary chordae
  2. More extensible due to the more tight collagen
  3. Secondary chordae are attached to the ventricle aspect of the leaflets
  4. Help to reduce tension at the leaflet

How do you classify Chordae tendinae?


Chordae tendinae can have six classifications:

Basis of Classifications Classifications of Chordae tendinae
1Depending on the originApical and Basal
2Depending on the area concernedTrue or False
3Depending on the anatomical basisCusp, Cleft or Commissural
4Depending on the interest of the valve areaFirst-order chordae or Second-order chordae
5Depending on the shapeStraight, Branched, Dichotomous or Irregular
6Depending on the constitutionTendinous, Muscular, or Membranous
Classifications of Chordae tendinae


Depending on the origin – apical and basal

Depending on the area concerned – true or false

Depending on the anatomical basis – cusp, cleft and commissural

Depending on the interest of the valve area they are first-order chordae or second-order chordae

Depending on the shape – straight, branched, dichotomous or irregular

Depending on the constitution – tendinous, muscular, or membranous

Classifications of Chordae tendinae

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