Answer to The Peruvian Parachutist’s Barbecue

Correct answer is C. The indicated structures are chorda tendinea that extend from the papillary muscles to the cusps of the tricuspid valves. Their function is to prevent prolapse of the valves during ventricular systole. If such an event where to happen, then a murmur results. However, the chordae tendinea specifically do not help to open up the cusps of the tricuspid or mitral valves.

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Answer to this question is based on material presented in lectures 12 of the Thorax Lecture Series.