article_snippet: The mitral valve separates the upper left heart chamber from the lower left heart chamber, and helps control blood flow through the heart.
article_snippet: During each heartbeat the smaller upper chambers of the heart contract to push blood into the larger lower chambers.
article_snippet: The mitral valve opens to allow this passage of blood from the left atrium, and closes when the left ventricle is full of blood, to prevent backflow.
article_snippet: When The mitral valve closes, The mitral valve two leaflets (flaps) normally seal the valve shut.
article_snippet: Tendons attached to these flaps keep its two leaflets (flaps) taut and prevent its two leaflets (flaps) collapsing through to the other side.