-ˌtenˈdinēə noun
( plural chordae tendine·ae -nēˌē)
Etymology: New Latin, literally, tendinous cord
: any of the delicate tendinous cords that are attached to the edges of the auriculoventricular valves of the heart and to the papillary muscles and serve to prevent the valves from being pushed into the auricle during the ventricular contraction