[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/) › Right ventricle papillary muscles [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/) # Right ventricle papillary muscles The papillary muscles of the [right ventricle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/right-ventricle/) are small muscle pillars that pull on cords to keep the tricuspid valve closed as the ventricle pumps. Official name: Papillary muscles of right ventricle [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=thorax&select=papillary_muscles_rv&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Three small muscles in the right ventricle (anterior, posterior and septal) anchoring the tricuspid chordae. ## What it does Keep the tricuspid valve closed as the right ventricle pumps. ## Key points - The anterior muscle is reached by the moderator band, which carries the [right bundle branch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/right-bundle-branch/): a shortcut that lets it contract early - The small septal (medial) papillary muscle, near the supraventricular crest, marks where the right bundle branch runs - Rupture is rare (blunt [chest](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/chest/) trauma, endocarditis) and causes acute tricuspid regurgitation ## Key facts **Where** Right ventricle: anterior (largest, receives moderator band), posterior, and small variable septal muscle **Attaches** Ventricular wall to chordae of adjacent tricuspid leaflets **Function** Contract in systole, tensing chordae so tricuspid leaflets do not evert ## Relations **In front** Anterior papillary muscle on the anterior wall, joined by the moderator band from the septum **Below** Posterior papillary muscle on the diaphragmatic wall **Medial** Septal papillary muscle on the septum, below the anteroseptal commissure **Above** [Chordae tendineae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/chordae-tendineae-of-right-atrioventricular-valve/) to the [tricuspid anterior leaflet](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-leaflet-of-right-atrioventricular-valve/), [Tricuspid posterior leaflet](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-leaflet-of-right-atrioventricular-valve/) and [tricuspid septal leaflet](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/septal-leaflet-of-right-atrioventricular-valve/) ## How to find it Opening the right ventricle through its front wall, the large anterior muscle appears first, joined by the moderator band; the posterior muscle sits on the floor against the [diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/), and the small septal one high on the septum, below the supraventricular crest. ## On imaging Apical four-chamber echo shows the anterior papillary muscle and the moderator band near the apex; a prominent moderator band is normal and helps identify the morphological right ventricle. ## Common problems - Rarely affected on their own. ## How it is diagnosed Echocardiogram. ## Treatment - Surgical repair: resecting the floppy segment or adding artificial chords. ## Clinical notes - Surgeons use the septal papillary muscle as a landmark for the right bundle branch when repairing ventricular septal defects or the outflow tract - Leads placed at the right ventricular apex lie among the trabeculae near the anterior papillary muscle and its chordae - Endomyocardial biopsy, common after heart transplantation, can catch tricuspid chordae or papillary tissue and cause tricuspid regurgitation; the forceps are aimed at the septum to limit this ## Anatomical variants - Their number and size vary; the septal muscle is small, multiple or absent in some hearts ## Development Like the chordae and trabeculae, they are carved out of the spongy muscle meshwork that lines the embryonic ventricle. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which right ventricle papillary muscle receives the moderator band, and why does it contract early? The anterior papillary muscle, the largest; the moderator band carries the right bundle branch to it as a shortcut. ## Why is the septal papillary muscle of the right ventricle a surgical landmark? It marks where the right bundle branch runs, for repairs of ventricular septal defects or the outflow tract. ## What does rupture of a right ventricle papillary muscle cause, and what are its usual causes? Acute tricuspid regurgitation; it is rare and follows blunt chest trauma or endocarditis. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/papillary-muscles-of-right-ventricle/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** musculi papillares ventriculi dextri TA2 4043 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Músculos papilares del ventrículo derecho DeCS D010210 **English (TA2)** Papillary muscles of right ventricle ## Related - [Right ventricle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/right-ventricle/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=10397&filter=ths_termall&q=M%C3%BAsculos%20Papilares); [Anatomy, Thorax, Heart Papillary Muscles](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557802/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): Development of the Vascular System (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/papillary-muscles-of-right-ventricle/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/papillary-muscles-of-right-ventricle/