Morphometric Study of Human Tricuspid Valve Leaflets

Abstract Background: The tricuspid valve ensures one-way blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle. Studying its leaflet dimensions and shapes helps in understanding normal anatomy and its variations, which are important in diagnosis and surgical repair. This study assessed the morphology and measurements of tricuspid valve leaflets in adult cadaveric hearts and explored differences between males and females. Objectives: To measure and describe the tricuspid valve leaflets and note any variations in their number, shape, and size. Materials and Methods: Fifty formalin-preserved human hearts, free from visible structural defects, were obtained from medical colleges in Maharashtra. The tricuspid valve was dissected, and the height, length, and surface area of its leaflets were recorded using Vernier calipers and a planimeter. Any accessory leaflets were documented. Statistical analysis was performed to detect sex-based differences. Results: All hearts had three leaflets – anterior, posterior, and septal – with no additional leaflets. The anterior leaflet was consistently the largest (mean surface area 481.24 ± 82.93 mm²), followed by the posterior (338 ± 81.96 mm²) and septal (302.04 ± 71.49 mm²) leaflets. The anterior leaflet showed significant size differences between males and females ( P < 0.01). Conclusion: The data confirm the dominance of the anterior leaflet and the uniform structure of the septal leaflet. These findings are valuable for surgical planning, especially when tricuspid valve tissue is used in mitral valve repair. Larger studies using modern imaging techniques could further clarify leaflet variations.