Papillary muscle

a column of myocardium projecting into the left ventricular cavity which is continuous with the ventricular wall at the base and attached to the chordae tendinae of the mitral valve at the apex. There are anterior and posterior papillary muscles connected for the most part to the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve, respectively. Contraction of the papillary muscles aids in maintaining systolic closure of the mitral valve.

2. Pathology

Mitral regurgitation occurs with rupture or ischaemic dysfunction of (a) papillary muscle(s). Papillary muscle rupture is usually acute and caused by trauma or myocardial infarction. Cardiac angiography, echocardiography, MRI and CT demonstrate the papillary muscle projecting into the left ventricular cavity. Echocardiography is usually employed to evaluate papillary muscle function.

CBH