font size

Definition of Papillary muscle

Papillary muscle: Small muscles within the heart that anchor the heart valves.

The anchor ropes are the chordae tendineae, thread-like bands of fibrous tissue that attach on one end to the edges of the tricuspid and mitral valves of the heart and on the other end to the papillary muscles.

Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4755
Last Editorial Review: 3/26/1998 2:27:00 PM

Drug Medical Dictionary of Terms by Letter

Top RxList Drug News

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.