The trabeculae carnae is a meshwork of fleshy cords found in the inner aspect of the right and left ventricles of the heart.

The Latin term [trab] means "beam", and [trabeculum] refers to the group of beams that supports a roof, like an intertwined network.  The plural for of [trabeculum] is [trabeculae].

The second term [carnae] is Latin for "meaty". The meaning of [trabeculae carnae] is the "meaty meshwork".

The trabeculae carnae are more evident and larger in the left ventricle than in the right ventricle, and larger and more complex towards the cardiac apex.  The accompanying image shows the dissection of a human heart exposing the trabeculae carnaes in the right ventricle.

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Image property of: CAA.Inc.