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Definition

noun

Cord-like tendons that connect the papillary muscles to the underside of the heart valves.

Supplement

The chordae tendineae together with the papillary muscles help the heart valves (i.e. tricuspid valve and mitral valve) to close during diastole, thus, preventing the backflow of blood from the ventricles into the atria.

Word origin: Latin: chordae (chord) + tendineae (tendon)

Synonym:

• heart strings

See also: papillary muscle, tenophony