Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP) Practice Test

The mitral and tricuspid valves are classified as input valves in the heart because they regulate blood flow into the ventricles from the atria. The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle, while the tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle. When the atria contract, these valves open to allow blood to flow into the ventricles, effectively serving as the entry points for blood entering the heart's pumping chambers.

In contrast, the aortic and pulmonary valves, which are positioned at the exits of the ventricles, serve to direct blood out of the heart and into the aorta and pulmonary arteries, respectively. These valves are crucial for maintaining the flow of blood out of the heart but do not function as input valves. Understanding the roles of these structures is essential for comprehending normal blood flow through the heart and how various conditions can impact cardiovascular health.