tricuspid

1 of 2

adjective

tri·​cus·​pid (ˌ)trī-ˈkə-spəd How to pronounce tricuspid (audio)
1
: having three cusps
a tricuspid molar
2
: of, relating to, or involving the tricuspid valve of the heart
tricuspid regurgitation

tricuspid

2 of 2

noun

: a tricuspid anatomical structure having three projections: such as
a
: a tooth having three cusps

Examples of tricuspid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Two valves, tricuspid (at left in the image) and mitral (right), control blood flow into the next chamber of the heart. Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010 At systole, when the heart contracts, the valves at the bases of the great vessels (pulmonic and aortic) open, while those between the atria and ventricles (tricuspid and mitral) close. Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 18 June 2022 From pre-op to last day, the size of Asjia’s heart decreased drastically, her pressure levels went back to normal, the mitral and tricuspid valves were functioning properly and there was no more valve leakage, said her surgeon Dr. Hani Najim. Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, 8 Aug. 2020
Noun
When the tricuspid and mitral valves close, the ventricles squeeze (contract) and pump blood. Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024 Mitral valves are also commonly repaired or replaced, whereas the tricuspid and pulmonic valves are not. Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2024 In addition to the aortic valve, there are three others: the mitral, the tricuspid and the pulmonary. Marlene Cimons, Washington Post, 10 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin tricuspid-, tricuspis, from tri- + cuspid-, cuspis point

First Known Use

Adjective

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tricuspid was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near tricuspid

Cite this Entry

“Tricuspid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tricuspid. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

tricuspid

1 of 2 adjective
tri·​cus·​pid (ˈ)trī-ˈkəs-pəd How to pronounce tricuspid (audio)
1
: having three cusps
tricuspid molars
2
: of, relating to, or involving the tricuspid valve of the heart
tricuspid disease

tricuspid

2 of 2 noun
: a tricuspid anatomical structure
especially : a tooth having three cusps
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