What is the role of the chordae tendineae in the heart?

The chordae tendineae play a crucial role in the functioning of the heart, particularly in maintaining the integrity of the atrioventricular (AV) valves—namely, the tricuspid and mitral valves. These thin, fibrous cords connect the valve leaflets to the papillary muscles located on the ventricular walls. During ventricular contraction, the papillary muscles contract as well, pulling on the chordae tendineae. This action prevents the valve leaflets from inverting or prolapsing into the atria, which could lead to improper blood flow and potential heart dysfunction.

In this context, the chordae tendineae are essential for ensuring that the valves close properly during ventricular contraction, allowing for effective pumping of blood into the arteries without backflow. This mechanism is vital for the unidirectional flow of blood through the heart and into the systemic and pulmonary circulation.

Other roles mentioned, such as regulating blood flow, pumping oxygenated blood, and separating heart chambers, are performed by different structures and do not directly involve the chordae tendineae. For example, the heart chambers are separated by the septum, and the heart itself does the pumping. The valves regulate blood flow but require the chordae tendineae for