What is the purpose of the chordae tendineae?

• A. To anchor the atrioventricular valves to the heart muscle
• B. To conduct electrical impulses
• C. To pump blood
• D. To lubricate the heart

Answer: (A)

Chordae tendineae act as anchors that tether the leaflets of the atrioventricular valves to the papillary muscles inside the ventricles. When the ventricles contract and pressure rises, these strings stay taut, with the papillary muscles also contracting, so the valve leaflets don’t bulge backward into the atria. This tension keeps the AV valves closed and prevents regurgitation, ensuring one-way blood flow from the atria to the ventricles during systole. They don’t have a role in electrical conduction, pumping blood, or lubricating the heart, which are handled by other structures.