Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Chordæ tendineæ
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The chordae tendineae, or heart strings, are cord-like tendons that connect the papillary muscles to the tricuspid valve and the mitral valve in the heart.
When the right ventricle of the heart contracts, the blood pressure pushes the tricuspid valve which closes and prevents a backflow of blood into the right atrium. The chordae tendineae prevents the flaps from being everted into the right atrium. Similarly, these cord-like tendons hold in position other flaps like the bicuspid or mitral valve.
Chordae tendineae are approximately 80% collagen, while the remaining 20% is made up of elastin and endothelial cells.
External links
External links
- Template:SUNYAnatomyLabs cvfg
- Template:EMedicineDictionary
- Template:EMedicineDictionary
- Template:UCDavisOrganology – “Mammal heart, chambers (Gross, Low)”
- Template:BiowebUW
- Illustration at health-pictures.com
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]