Strings of the human heart Literally and figuratively. I'm talking about these thin strings that stretch from the heart cavity to the valves. They are the same color as the heart itself in the picture☝🏻 The more scientific name for "strings" is chordae. When the valves open they are relaxed, and when the valves close the chords tighten. This is where the second name heart strings comes from. Like the heart "plays" its rhythmic music on them.