The tricuspid valve is one of the four main valves in the heart. It is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. This valve has three flaps, or cusps, that open and close to control blood flow. When the right atrium fills with blood, the tricuspid valve opens to allow blood to flow into the right ventricle. When the right ventricle contracts, the tricuspid valve closes to prevent blood from flowing back into the right atrium. This ensures that blood moves efficiently through the heart and into the pulmonary artery, where it travels to the lungs for oxygenation.