Chordae tendineae

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.