Final answer:
The cusps of the atrioventricular valves connect to the papillary muscles via the chordae tendineae, which are essential in preventing valve regurgitation during ventricular contraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cusps of the atrioventricular valves attach to the papillary muscles via the chordae tendineae. These fibrous cords serve a crucial role in the functioning of the heart, ensuring that the valves close properly during ventricular contraction. As the ventricles begin to contract, the papillary muscles contract as well, creating tension on the chordae tendineae, which in turn helps to hold the cusps of the atrioventricular valves in place and prevents them from being forced into the atria.
This mechanism is vital for maintaining unidirectional blood flow from the atria to the ventricles and then on to the lungs and the rest of the body without any backflow, which could lead to regurgitation. Notably, related descriptions illustrate the attachment of papillary muscles to the tricuspid valve on the right and the mitral valve on the left via the chordae tendineae.