The chordae tendineae are tendons linking the papillary muscles to the tricuspid valve in the right ventricle and the mitral valve in the left ventricle. As the papillary muscles contract and relax, the chordae tendineae transmit the resulting increase and decrease in tension to the respective valves, causing them to open and close. The chordae tendineae are string-like in appearance and are sometimes referred to as "heart strings."
The functions of chordae tendineae :
1. Bring right ventricular walls closer together during contraction.
2. Pull the semilunar valves open to allow ventricular ejection.
3. Pull the AV Valves open during atriole systole.
4. Prevent balloning of AV valves laflets back into the atria during ventricular systole,and to prevent AV valvular regurgtion.