RESUMEN
Introduction: The tricuspid valve complex is present between the right atrium and right ventricle which consistsof i) Tricuspid orifice and its associated annulus ii) 3 Leaflets (anterior, septal, posterior); iii) 3 Commissures(anteroposterior, posteroseptal, anteroseptal); iv) 2 Papillary muscles (anterior, posterior, occasionally septal);v)Chordae tendinae of various types. Awareness of tricuspid valve complex is of great clinical importance incardiosurgery and is considered a prerequisite for successful, uncomplicated cardiac surgeries and interventionalradiology.Materials and Methods: 45 cadaveric human hearts have been utilized in this study. Conventional dissectiontechnique was performed and the detailed morphology of the tricuspid valve complex was studied. The followingobservations were taken a)Number of commissures b) Position of commissures c) Shape of orifice d) Number &shape of leaflets e) Presence or absence of accessory leaflets f) Position of normal and accessory leaflets, ifpresent, g) No. of scallops in posterior leaflet.Observations and results: The tricuspid orifice was elliptical in 34 hearts (75.6%) and triangular in 11 hearts(24.4%).The number of leaflets or cusps in the tricuspid valve complex showed variation. There were typical 3leaflets in 41 hearts (91.1%) with anterior, posterior and septal leaflets. In 4 hearts (8.9%) 4-cuspidal form wasnoticed with an accessory cusp. Three Commissures were identified between the leaflets in the 3-cuspidal form.They are anteroposterior, posteroseptal and anteroseptal.Conclusion: This knowledge of anatomical variation in the morphology of the tricuspid valve may help cardiacsurgeons during surgical procedures conducted for correction of valve defects