Chordae Tendineae of the Mitral Valve on the Left Side of the Heart, Lateral View

Description

Seen in lateral aspect on the left side of the heart, the mitral valve (valva atrioventricularis sinistra) is opened to emphasize the chordae tendineae as tendinous cords running from the anterolateral and posteromedial papillary muscles to the free margins and ventricular surfaces of the anterior and posterior mitral leaflets. Primary chordae insert closest to the leaflet edge, while secondary and tertiary chordae course more basally toward the rough zone and leaflet body, spreading force across the cusp. The papillary muscles sit inferior to the annulus within the left ventricle, and the chords fan superiorly toward the valve in a clustered, branching pattern. Fine attachments matter. This lateral cutaway is the cleanest way to teach how papillary muscle contraction during systole tensions the chordae and prevents leaflet prolapse into the left atrium. Chordal elongation or rupture, often after degenerative myxomatous change or ischemic papillary muscle dysfunction, produces acute or chronic mitral regurgitation with a classic flail leaflet, a scenario that drives both echocardiographic diagnosis and operative planning. Surgeons repairing the mitral valve also think in chordal families, because artificial ePTFE neochordae must reproduce native chordal length and insertion points to restore coaptation without systolic anterior motion. Use this plate in cardiothoracic anatomy and physiology courses when linking ventricular mechanics to valve competence, and in surgical atlases or journal figures illustrating mitral repair techniques, chordal transfer, or papillary muscle related regurgitation. It also supports echo teaching files by giving a structural reference for chordae seen in parasternal long axis and apical four chamber views. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.