Importance of Papillary Muscle and Chordae Tendineae in Heart
Structure
Papillary Muscles
Muscles inside ventricles.
Originate from wall of ventricles.
Attached to cusps of atrioventricular valves via chordae tendineae
Chordae Tendineae
Fibrous cords
Connect papillary muscles to cusps of atrioventricular valve.
Function
Prevent the inversion of the atrioventricular valves into atria
During systole
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Pressure in ventricles increase
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Tends to push atrioventricular valves and open them into atria
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However, contraction of papillary muscles pulls the cusps of atrioventricular valves towards ventricles
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Prevent the inversion of the valve into atria
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No backflow of blood.
If papillary muscles get paralyzed or chordae tendineae rupture
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High pressure in ventricles push opens the atrioventricular valves into atria
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Backflow of blood from ventricles into the atria
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Cardiac pumping is impaired.