This image is a photograph of a mitral valve of an ovine!

As shown here, the chordae tendineae are well implanted into the posteromedial papillary muscle (PMPM) and also the anterolateral papillary muscle (ALPM). Of note, the PMPM is almost not protruding from the ventricular wall in sheep. The aorto-mitral “curtain” is poorly defined in sheep, leading to a more restricted space between the mitral and aortic valve.¹

The colors are added to indicate the rough zone of the anterior leaflet (yellow) and the smooth zone of the anterior leaflet (green).

NCC: Noncoronary cusp.
LCC: Left coronary cusp.
ALPM: Anterolateral papillary muscle.
PMPM: Posteromedial papillary muscle.
Red double headed arrow: Aorto-mitral “curtain”

This photograph is one example from the comprehensive suite of Pathology Services offered by IMMR’s in-house team of Board-certified Veterinary Pathologists.

Contact us to learn more and discuss your preclinical research and pathology needs.

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¹ Borenstein N, Behr L, Morlet A, Chevènement O, Kieval R, Ente A, Fiette L: Large animal models for the interventional cardiologist: a comparative anatomy, imaging, histopathology and regulatory perspective. The PCR-EAPCI Textbook, Part IV.