A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF THE PAPILLARY MUSCLES OF THE LEFT VENTRICLES OF HUMAN CADAVERIC HEARTS IN NORTH-WEST INDIAN POPULATION

BACKGROUND Atrioventricular (AV) valvular apparatus comprises of AV orifice and its annulus, valvular leaflets, chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. The study was done with a purpose to find out the gross morphology of papillary muscle of left ventricle and to compare any gender differences. This is helpful in understanding left atrioventricular valve dysfunction like mitral regurgitations and also helpful in valve repair surgeries. Aims of this Study 1. To note the shape, origin, number of heads and other gross features of papillary muscles of left ventricle. 2. To find out sexual difference in the gross morphology of papillary muscles of left ventricle. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was carried out in 30 apparently normal cadaveric hearts after fixing in 10% formalin. The left ventricle was opened after giving an incision and gross morphology of papillary muscles of left ventricles was studied by using Vernier calliper. Statistical analysis SPSS software and unpaired 't' test was used. P value less than 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION It was found that both the anterolateral and posteromedial papillary muscles of left ventricle were always present. Number of heads of papillary muscles ranged from 1 to 6 in left ventricle. Length of anterolateral papillary muscle (ALPM) was more than posteromedial papillary muscle (PMPM) of left ventricle. Mixed type of ALPM was found more frequently in females (92.3%) in the present study than in males (58.8%). This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Posteromedial papillary muscle of the left ventricle took origin mainly from middle 1/3rd of left ventricle. Such cases occurred more frequently in females than in males. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).