Thorax: mitral valve and aortic valve continuity: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Thorax: mitral valve and aortic valve continuity

Sample item

On echocardiography, the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve is seen to lie in fibrous continuity with another valve. This places the leaflet between the left ventricular inflow and outflow tracts. Which valve is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Aortic valve

The anterior mitral leaflet is continuous with the left and non-coronary cusps of the aortic valve through the aortomitral curtain. Because of this, the leaflet separates inflow from outflow within the left ventricle. Infective endocarditis of the aortic valve can seed the anterior mitral leaflet.

Option by option

  • A. Aortic valve (correct)

    Correct. The fibrous aortomitral curtain links the anterior mitral leaflet with the aortic cusps.

  • B. Tricuspid valve

    The tricuspid valve lies in the right heart and is not continuous with the mitral valve.

  • C. Eustachian valve

    The Eustachian valve is a small right atrial fold at the inferior vena caval opening, not a heart valve.

  • D. Pulmonary valve

    The pulmonary valve is separated from the left heart by the right ventricular outflow tract.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Aortic valve. The anterior mitral leaflet is continuous with the left and non-coronary cusps of the aortic valve through the aortomitral curtain.

Why is "Tricuspid valve" not the answer?

The tricuspid valve lies in the right heart and is not continuous with the mitral valve.

Why is "Eustachian valve" not the answer?

The Eustachian valve is a small right atrial fold at the inferior vena caval opening, not a heart valve.

Why is "Pulmonary valve" not the answer?

The pulmonary valve is separated from the left heart by the right ventricular outflow tract.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Thorax: mitral valve and aortic valve continuity in Anatomy. Because of this, the leaflet separates inflow from outflow within the left ventricle. Infective endocarditis of the aortic valve can seed the anterior mitral leaflet.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Thorax: mitral valve and aortic valve continuity?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.