mitral valve (anatomy)

Last reviewed 01/2018

The mitral valve surrounds the left atrioventricular orifice of the heart between the left atrium and the left ventricle. In terms of surface anatomy, it lies deep to the sternum at the level of the costal cartilage of the fourth vertebra.

It may be considered in terms of the:

  • atrioventricular orifice
  • annulus, the fibrous skeleton surrounding the valve
  • valve leaflets
  • chordae tendineae
  • papillary muscles