The Peruvian Parachutist’s Barbecue

A Peruvian cardiologist’s hobby is to skydive in the Andes. He invites his American colleagues to visit Peru and strap on parachutes with him. They all accept heartily. The day of the jump they set out on a small biplane, when huge winds kick up and force the plane off course. Nevertheless, they all decide to jump and do land safely, then radio base to tell them of their dilemma. Unfortunately, they hear it will take three to four days before they can be reached and brought back. The American cardiologists envision four days of no food, but the Peruvian exclaims “I’ve got this”. (He brought along a pistol and in no time shoots a mountain goat that he begins to prepare for a barbecue.) The Peruvian prepares a delicacy known as anticuchos using the mountain goat’s heart. When dinner is served, one of the cardiologist is grossed out by recognizing a chorda tendinae still attached to a papillary muscle. The good news is he lost weight during the four-day ordeal.  Which of the following is the principal function of the indicated structure that repulsed the cardiologist?

What is the function of the indicated structure?