The heart is the muscular organ that controls the cardiovascular system of the body. Ventricles are the lower bottom chambers of the heart. They collect and expel blood towards the peripheral beds within the body and lungs. Chordae tendineae and columnae carneae are two different structures associated with ventricles.
The key difference between chordae tendineae and columnae carneae is their function. Chordae tendineae are tendinous cords that connect bicuspid and tricuspid valves to papillary muscles in the ventricles, while columnae carneae are irregular muscular ridges in the inner surface of the ventricles.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Chordae Tendineae
3. What is Columnae Carneae
4. Similarities – Chordae Tendineae and Columnae Carneae
5. Chordae Tendineae vs Columnae Carneae in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Chordae Tendineae vs Columnae Carneae
7. FAQ – Chordae Tendineae and Columnae Carneae
What are Chordae Tendineae?
Chordae tendineae are tendinous cords that connect the tricuspid and mitral valves to the papillary muscles within the ventricles. Multiple chordae tendineae usually attach to each cusp of the above valves. Chordae tendineae contain elastin in the periphery of their structures. They maintain the position and tension of the tricuspid and mitral valves, ensuring one-way blood flow from the atria to the ventricles. Furthermore, ruptured chordae tendineae and parachute mitral valve are two conditions associated with problems in the chordae tendineae.
What is Columnae Carneae?
Columnae carneae or trabeculae carneae are rounded or irregular muscular columns that normally project from the inner surface of the right and left ventricles of the heart. In embryonic development, columnae carneae are one of the first cardiac structures to develop in the embryonic cardiac tube.
Some of the columnae carneae are attached along their entire length on one side, whereas others are fixed at their extremities; however, they are free in the middle. Furthermore, the columnae carneae prevents the suction that would generally occur with a flat, surfaced membrane, which impairs the heart’s ability to pump efficiently.
Similarities Between Chordae Tendineae and Columnae Carneae
- Chordae tendineae and columnae carneae are two different structures associated with ventricles in the heart.
- They are primarily connective tissues.
- Both play pivotal roles in blood pumping.
- The defects in both cause diseases in humans.
Comparing the Difference Between Chordae Tendineae and Columnae Carneae
Definition
- Chordae tendineae are tendinous cords that connect the tricuspid and mitral to the papillary muscles within the ventricles.
- Columnae carneae are rounded or irregular muscular columns that normally project from the inner surface of the right and left ventricles of the heart.
Structure
- Multiple chordae tendineae attach to each cusp of the valves.
- Some of the columnae carneae are attached along their entire length on one side, whereas others are fixed at their extremities, however free in the middle.
Function
- Chordae tendineae maintain the position and the tension of the tricuspid and mitral.
- Columnae carneae prevent the suction that generally occurs with a flat, surfaced membrane, impairing the heart’s ability to pump efficiently.
The following table presents the difference between chordae tendineae and columnae carneae.
Summary – Chordae Tendineae vs Columnae Carneae
Chordae tendineae and columnae carneae are two different structures associated with ventricles in the heart. Chordae tendineae are tendinous cords that connect bicuspid and tricuspid valves to the papillary muscles in the ventricles, while columnae carneae are irregular muscular ridges in the inner surface of the ventricles. This is the key difference between chordae tendineae and columnae carneae.
FAQ: Chordae Tendineae and Columnae Carneae
1. What is the function of the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles?
The papillary muscles and their chordae tendineae regulate the closure of the AV valve during systole and play a vital role in atrioventricular (AV) valve function.
2. What happens if chordae tendineae break?
- Chordae tendineae rupture is a potentially life-threatening cardiac event due to the breakage of chordae tendineae break. Chordae tendineae rupture is characterized by sudden onset, rapid progression of pulmonary edema, hypotension, and left-sided heart failure, which may finally lead to severe cardiac shock or pulmonary hypertension and acute right-sided heart failure.
3. How many chordae tendineae are in the heart?
- It has been shown that the heart contains 8–12 chordae tendineae in each of the mitral valve leaflets or cusps in humans.
4. What is the function of columnae carneae in the heart?
Muscular ridges or columns projecting from the inner walls of the heart ventricles are called columnae carneae. They prevent suction and impair the heart’s ability to pump efficiently.
5. What are chordae tendineae made of?
Chordae tendineae, also known as heart strings, are fibrous cords primarily composed of collagen and elastin fibers. These tough yet flexible materials provide structural support and elasticity to the heart valves, allowing them to open and close efficiently during the cardiac cycle.
Reference:
1. Millington-Sanders, C, et al. “Structure of Chordae Tendineae in the Left Ventricle of the Human Heart.” Journal of Anatomy, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. “Trabeculae Carneae.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Heart diagram-en” By ZooFari – Own work- Supporting references↑ [1] (cache)↑ [2] (cache) (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia