The papillary muscles (PM) play an important role in the tension of the chordae tendineae, preventing valve prolapse during the systole. Variations on their morphology are of clinical and surgical relevance, since their dysfunction can increase morbidity and mortality. The aim of this work is to evaluate the morphology of PM and their variations in hearts from Northeastern Brazil. Fifty human cadaver hearts were opened to analyze the shape, length and anatomical variations of the PM. Data analysis considered P<0.05 as significant. Four shapes of PM were observed: broad-apex, conical, fan-shaped and pyramidal. The conical shape was the most prevalent in all the PM of the right ventricle. In the left ventricle, there was a certain variation, with the wide apex shape more prevalent in the APM and the pyramidal configuration more common in the PPM. In the right ventricle, anterior, posterior and septal PM had different lengths (17.8±4.44 mm, 13.0±3.58 mm and 5.60±2.26 mm, respectively, p<0.05), while this statistical difference was not found in the measurement of the left ventricle. Finally, the length of the right ventricular PM was smaller than the length of left ventricular PM. The variations in prevalence, shape and length of PM shapes found in our study are important for the understanding of the heart diseases that affect the functioning of the atrioventricular valves. These findings could help health professionals, especially from Northeastern Brazil, to be more assertive in the clinical and surgical management of the diseases involving these muscles.
Morphological study of papillary muscles in Northeastern Brazil: a cadaveric study
Jalles Dantas de Lucena1,2, João V. Souza Sanders3, Jonathan Barros Cavalcante3, Michelly Carneiro Collyer4, Bianca Caldeira Leite1, João V. Andrade Fernandes5, André R. da Silva Oliveira Filho5, Daniel Macedo de Oliveira5, André de Sá Braga Oliveira6.
1 Medical School, Santa Maria University Center (UNIFSM), 58.900-000, Cajazeiras, PB, Brazil
2 Medical School, INTA University Center (UNINTA), 62.500-000, Itapipoca, CE, Brazil
3 Medical School, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), 60430-160, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
4 Medical School, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), 60.811-905, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
5 Medical School, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB). 58033-455, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
6 Department of Morphology, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB). 58033-455, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
