A History of Cardiology: The Beat Goes On: University of Iowa Health Care

Medical Museum

The Beat Goes On: A History of Cardiology

Valves

The heart's four valves open and close about once a second for a lifetime, but disease can impair this function. Common treatment for a damaged valve is to replace it surgically with either a mechanical valve, such as the "caged ball" design, or a valve created from specially treated animal tissue.
23. Clockwise from top left: caged disc valve; caged ball valve; tilting disc valve. Donated by the Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UIHC.

Last modification date: Mon Jun 5 14:08:39 2006
URL: http://www.uihealthcare.com /depts/medmuseum/galleryexhibits/beatgoesonhistory/07valves.html