What is the most anterior cardiac valve?

• A. Tricuspid valve
• B. Mitral valve
• C. Pulmonic valve
• D. Aortic valve

Answer: (C)

The most anterior valve is the pulmonary valve. This reflects its position in the right ventricle outflow tract, where it sits at the front of the heart and leads into the pulmonary trunk, just behind the sternum. The heart’s anterior surface is largely formed by the right ventricle, so the valve at the outflow into the pulmonary artery sits closest to the chest wall. In contrast, the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle is more inferior and toward the right, the mitral valve is more posterior and left-sided, and the aortic valve lies deeper and more posteriorly behind the sternum.