From the Research
The papillary muscles in the heart are supplied by branches of the coronary arteries, with the left anterolateral papillary muscles primarily supplied by the left coronary system and the left posteromedial papillary muscles supplied by either the right coronary system or the left coronary system, as shown in a study published in 2006 1. The blood supply to the papillary muscles is crucial for maintaining proper heart valve function.
- The left anterolateral papillary muscles are supplied by the anterior interventricular artery, second diagonal branch, and left marginal artery.
- The left posteromedial papillary muscles are supplied by the right coronary system, including the posterior interventricular artery and left retroventricular artery, in approximately 70% of cases, and by the left coronary system, including the circumflex artery, in approximately 30% of cases. This dual blood supply is important because papillary muscles play a crucial role in heart valve function by anchoring the chordae tendineae that prevent valve leaflets from prolapsing into the atria during ventricular contraction. Inadequate blood supply to these muscles, such as during a myocardial infarction, can lead to papillary muscle dysfunction or rupture, resulting in valve regurgitation and potentially severe heart failure. The specific arterial supply pattern explains why certain types of heart attacks can affect valve function through papillary muscle damage, as discussed in various studies, including those on coronary artery disease management 2, 3, 4, 5.