Anthropometric Analysis of the Papillary Muscles of the Heart: A Nigerian Cadaveric Study
Israel Ukie Gwunireama
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Gospel Uchechukwu Collins
*
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Nnozor
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Jennifer Omatsola
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Papillary muscles are pillar-like structures in the ventricular cavity, anchoring the atrioventricular valves via chordae tendineae. In the right ventricle, they include anterior, posterior, and septal muscles, while the left ventricle has only anterior and posterior muscles. They play a crucial role in ventricular contraction.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the morphometric characteristics of the papillary muscles through cadaveric dissection.
Methods: 23 cadaveric hearts preserved in formaldehyde from Nigerian medical schools in the southern region of Nigeria were procured and dissected; only specimens meeting the established inclusion criteria were utilized. A digital vernier calliper capable of measuring with a precision of 0.01 mm was used to measure the length and breadth of the papillary muscles. The length was measured from its attachment at the base to the apex, while the breadth was assessed at the muscle's origin from the ventricular wall. For statistical analysis, both descriptive and inferential methods were conducted using IBM-SPSS version 23.
Results: The anterior papillary muscles measured 13.90±4.84mm in length and 5.94±3.91mm in breadth in the right ventricle, while in the left ventricle, their dimensions were 20.77±6.33mm in length and 10.32±4.38mm in breadth. Additionally, the posterior papillary muscles showed lengths of 12.76±5.86mm in the right ventricle and 18.54±5.82mm in the left ventricle, with breadths of 6.24±3.08mm and 10.02±4.63mm, respectively. Lastly, the septal papillary muscle had a length of 11.23±5.76mm and a breadth of 6.26±2.49mm. Differences in the length and breadth of the anterior and posterior papillary muscles between the right and left ventricles were significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The anterior and posterior papillary muscles of the left ventricle are larger in length and width compared to those in the right ventricle, reflecting its higher pressure workload requiring robust mitral valve support.
Keywords: Heart, papillary muscles, anthropometry, variation, Nigeria.