Papillary Muscle (Noun)
Meaning
Any of several muscles associated with the atrioventricular valves; "the papillary muscles contract during systole to prevent regurgitation of blood into the atria".
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The papillary muscles are small, finger-like projections of cardiac muscle that are attached to the cusps of the atrioventricular valves.
- During systole, the papillary muscles contract to prevent the cusps from being forced backward into the atria.
- The chordae tendineae, which are fibrous strings, connect the papillary muscles to the cusps of the atrioventricular valves.
- The contraction of the papillary muscles helps to maintain the integrity of the atrioventricular valves and prevent regurgitation of blood into the atria.
- Damage to the papillary muscles can lead to mitral regurgitation, a condition in which blood flows backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium.