The blood, pumped by the heart which contracts approximately 100,000 times a day, is directed between the four chambers of the heart and into the major arteries via specialized valves. These valves ensure a unidirectional and efficient blood flow. The heart has two small chambers (atria) and two large chambers (ventricles). During the blood's journey through the heart, each valve controls a specific passage. On the left side of the heart, oxygenated (clean) blood circulates. The valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle is called the mitral valve, while the valve that allows blood to be pumped from the left ventricle to the entire body is the aortic valve. On the right side of the heart, deoxygenated (unclean) blood is found and directed towards the lungs. The valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle is the tricuspid valve, and the valve that allows blood to be pumped from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation is known as the pulmonary valve. In total, the heart contains four main valves.