Myxoma is a benign tumor typically attached to which structure and prolapsing into which valve?

Prepare for the Echocardiography Techniques III Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes detailed explanations. Get ready for your certification!

Myxomas are the most common benign primary cardiac tumor and classically arise from the interatrial septum, specifically near the fossa ovalis in the left atrium. They are typically pedunculated with a stalk and highly mobile, so they can swing through the mitral valve orifice during diastole and prolapse into the left ventricle. This diastolic prolapse can obstruct flow and mimic mitral stenosis, and it may be accompanied by a characteristic diastolic “tumor plop” on auscultation. So the hallmark description is a benign mass attached to the interatrial septum (usually in the left atrium) that prolapses into the mitral valve during diastole.