Question
Describe the function of the chordae tendineae and the papillary muscles.
Expert Solution
Step 1
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Introduction
Heart is highly muscular in nature, it composed of smooth cardiac muscles which are
mesodermal in origin. These muscles are involuntary in nature.
The most common muscle in heart is Papillary muscles which are present in the ventricular
region. There are 5 number of Papillary muscles present in the human heart, 3 in right
ventricular and 2 in left ventricle.
Step 2
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Function of papillary muscles:
Papillary muscle connects the tricuspid valve and Mitral valve via Chordae tendineae.
These muscles help in recoiling of ventricular contraction and also the proper
closure of tricuspid and bicuspid valves during the contraction and cardiac cycle.
Papillary muscles get the blood supply from coronary arteries.
If the papillary muscles are damaged this can lead to severe heart conditions such as
Myocardial Infarction.
Chordae tendineae are the tendon like fibres which connects the papillary muscle to the
tricuspid valve and to the mitral valve. Chordae tendineae is composed of about 80% of
collagen and 20% elastin connective tissue.