Chordae tendineae
Last revised by Daniel J Bell ◉ on 2 Aug 2021
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Hacking C, Bell D, Udayasiri S, Chordae tendineae. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 30 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-49586
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rID:
49586
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosuresLast revised:
2 Aug 2021, Daniel J Bell ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Daniel J Bell had no recorded disclosures.
View Daniel J Bell's current disclosuresRevisions:
5 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Chorda tendinea
- Heart strings
- Heartstrings
The chordae tendineae (singular: chorda tendinea, is rarely used) are thin strong inelastic fibrous cords that extend from the free edge of the cusps of the atrioventricular valves (the tricuspid and mitral valves) to the apices of the papillary muscles within the right and left ventricles respectively. They transmit the force of the contracting papillary muscles during ventricular systole to the cusps of the valves to prevent the valves from prolapsing into the atria due to the higher pressures generated in the ventricles.
History and etymology
Chordae tendineae is Latin for tendinous cords.
References
- 1. Moore KL, Agur AMR, Dalley AF. Clinically oriented anatomy. LWW. ISBN:1451119453. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:044304662X. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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