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Multiple Choice
Which structures prevent heart valves from being forced backward into the wrong chamber?
A
Chordae tendineae
B
Sinoatrial (SA) node
C
Purkinje fibers
D
Coronary arteries
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the function of heart valves: Heart valves ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart chambers by opening and closing at the right time during the cardiac cycle.
Learn about the chordae tendineae: These are tough, fibrous strings attached to the edges of the heart valves (specifically the atrioventricular valves) and anchored to the papillary muscles in the ventricles. Their role is to prevent the valves from inverting or being forced backward into the atria during ventricular contraction.
Differentiate the other options: The sinoatrial (SA) node is the pacemaker of the heart, responsible for initiating electrical impulses that regulate heartbeats. Purkinje fibers are specialized muscle fibers that conduct electrical impulses to the ventricles, ensuring coordinated contraction. Coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself.
Focus on the mechanism of valve support: During ventricular contraction, the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles work together to hold the valve flaps in place, preventing regurgitation of blood into the atria.
Conclude that the chordae tendineae are the structures directly responsible for preventing heart valves from being forced backward into the wrong chamber.