Trabeculae carneae


The trabeculae carneae, are rounded or irregular muscular columns which project from the inner surface of the right and left ventricle of the heart. These are different from the pectinate muscles, which are present in the atria of the heart.

Types

There are 2 kinds:
The purpose of the trabeculae carneae is most likely to prevent suction that would occur with a flat surfaced membrane and thus impair the heart's ability to pump efficiently.
The trabeculae carneae also serve a function similar to that of papillary muscles in that their contraction pulls on the chordae tendineae, preventing inversion of the mitral and tricuspid valves towards the atrial chambers, which would lead to subsequent leakage of the blood into the atria. By this action on the atrioventricular valves, backflow of the blood from the ventricles into the atria is prevented.
The moderator bands carry the right branch of the bundle of His and are part of the conducting system of the heart.