chorda tendinea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TechnicalScientific / Medical
Quick answer
What does “chorda tendinea” mean?
A small fibrous cord that connects heart valves to papillary muscles.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small fibrous cord that connects heart valves to papillary muscles.
In anatomy and medicine, a thread-like tendon of the heart; specifically, any of the tendinous strands that represent the termination of the tendinous portion of the trabeculae carneae cordis in the ventricular wall of the heart, attached to the margins of the atrioventricular valves.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference; both use the same Latin term. Pronunciation may vary slightly.
Connotations
None beyond its precise anatomical meaning.
Frequency
Equally rare and technical in both varieties, used only in medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chorda tendinea” in a Sentence
The [specific valve, e.g., mitral] chordae tendineae connect [A] to [B].Rupture of a chorda tendinea can lead to [condition].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used exclusively in medical, anatomical, and biological texts and lectures.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
The primary context, used in cardiology, cardiac surgery, anatomy, and related fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chorda tendinea”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chorda tendinea”
- Mispronouncing 'tendinea' as 'ten-DINE-ee-uh' (correct: 'ten-DIN-ee-ee').
- Using singular form in general description (should be plural 'chordae tendineae').
- Confusing with other cardiac structures like trabeculae carneae.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically singular. The plural is 'chordae tendineae'. In practice, the plural form is almost always used as it refers to the collective set of these cords.
No. 'Heart strings' is a colloquial metaphor. In professional medical communication, the precise Latin term 'chordae tendineae' is required.
It can lead to valvular regurgitation (a leaky heart valve), as the valve leaflet it anchors may flap backwards, allowing blood to flow in the wrong direction.
Yes, it is used in veterinary medicine and comparative anatomy for mammals with similar cardiac structures.
A small fibrous cord that connects heart valves to papillary muscles.
Chorda tendinea is usually scientific / medical in register.
Chorda tendinea: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɔː.də ˈten.dɪ.niː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɔɹ.də ˈten.dɪ.ni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine tiny, strong 'heart strings' (like a guitar's) that 'tend' (from tendinea) to keep the heart's doors (valves) from swinging the wrong way.
Conceptual Metaphor
Strings/Threads/Tethers anchoring a flap.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of the chordae tendineae?