Anatomy of the mitral valve leaflets

The anatomic diagram illustrates the relative size, length, and postion of the anterior (A) and posterior (P) leaflets of the mitral valve. In particular, the A leaflet has a long margain to base dimension and a greater length than the shorter P leaflet; in spite of these differences, their surface areas are equal. The A leaflet is in continuity with the posterior aortic root (Ao) and is therefore called the aortic leaflet. The P leaflet is in continuity with the posterior left ventricular wall (PLVW) and is known as the mural leaflet.