What is the role of chordae tendineae?

• A. Tendon-like strands that anchor valve flaps to papillary muscles, preventing backflow
• B. Nerve-like fibers coordinating valve movement
• C. Muscle fibers powering valve motion
• D. Fibers producing heart sounds

Answer: (A)

Chordae tendineae are string-like structures that connect the leaflets of the mitral and tricuspid valves to the papillary muscles inside the ventricle. Their main job is to hold the valve flaps in place when the ventricle contracts, so the leaflets don’t bulge back into the atria. By keeping the leaflets taut during systole, they prevent backflow of blood into the atria. They’re not nerves, not muscle powering valve motion, and they don’t create heart sounds; those sounds come from the valves closing and the flow of blood. The papillary muscles work with the chordae to produce this tension, ensuring proper valve function during the heartbeat.