,BIOL 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology
II w/Lab | Module 3 Exam Review
1. Which of the following correctly describes the pulmonary circuit?
A) The left side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
B) The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
C) The left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
D) The right side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
Correct Answer: The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Rationale: The pulmonary circuit carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas
exchange and returns oxygenated blood to the left atrium. The systemic circuit, in contrast, involves the
left side of the heart pumping oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
2. What is the correct order of the three primary layers (tunics) of a blood vessel wall from innermost to
outermost?
A) Tunica externa, tunica media, tunica intima
B) Tunica intima, tunica media, tunica externa
C) Tunica media, tunica intima, tunica externa
D) Tunica intima, tunica externa, tunica media
Correct Answer: Tunica intima, tunica media, tunica externa.
Rationale: The innermost layer is the tunica intima, composed of endothelium. The middle layer is the
tunica media, containing smooth muscle for vasoconstriction. The outermost layer is the tunica externa,
which provides structural support.
3. Which tunic of a blood vessel wall is primarily responsible for vasoconstriction and vasodilation?
A) Tunica intima
B) Tunica media
,C) Tunica externa
D) Tunica adventitia
Correct Answer: Tunica media.
Rationale: The tunica media contains smooth muscle fibers and elastic tissue. Its contraction
(vasoconstriction) or relaxation (vasodilation) regulates blood vessel diameter, blood pressure, and
blood flow distribution.
4. The tunica intima is composed primarily of which type of epithelium?
A) Stratified squamous epithelium
B) Simple cuboidal epithelium
C) Simple squamous epithelium (endothelium)
D) Transitional epithelium
Correct Answer: Simple squamous epithelium (endothelium).
Rationale: The endothelium is a specialized simple squamous epithelium that lines the inner surface of
all blood vessels. This thin, smooth layer provides a friction-reducing lining and is active in capillary
exchange.
5. Which blood vessel type has the thickest tunica media relative to its lumen size?
A) Capillaries
B) Veins
C) Arteries
D) Venules
Correct Answer: Arteries.
, Rationale: Arteries must withstand and regulate the high pressure of blood pumped directly from the
heart. Their thick tunica media, rich in smooth muscle and elastic fibers, allows them to perform this
function effectively.
6. Which type of blood vessel contains valves to prevent the backflow of blood?
A) Arteries
B) Arterioles
C) Veins
D) Capillaries
Correct Answer: Veins.
Rationale: Veins, especially in the limbs, contain valves that prevent the backflow of blood. This is
necessary because venous blood pressure is low, and valves help ensure blood returns to the heart
against gravity.
7. A 65-year-old patient with a history of hypertension presents with leg swelling and varicose veins.
Which vessel type is most likely compromised?
A) Arteries
B) Veins
C) Arterioles
D) Capillaries
Correct Answer: Veins.
Rationale: Varicose veins and leg swelling often result from venous valve incompetence, leading to
blood pooling. Venous return relies on valves and skeletal muscle pumps to move blood back to the
heart, and their failure can cause these symptoms.
8. According to the structure of blood vessels, which layer is responsible for supplying blood to the walls
of large arteries and veins?
A) Tunica intima
II w/Lab | Module 3 Exam Review
1. Which of the following correctly describes the pulmonary circuit?
A) The left side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
B) The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
C) The left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
D) The right side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
Correct Answer: The right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Rationale: The pulmonary circuit carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas
exchange and returns oxygenated blood to the left atrium. The systemic circuit, in contrast, involves the
left side of the heart pumping oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
2. What is the correct order of the three primary layers (tunics) of a blood vessel wall from innermost to
outermost?
A) Tunica externa, tunica media, tunica intima
B) Tunica intima, tunica media, tunica externa
C) Tunica media, tunica intima, tunica externa
D) Tunica intima, tunica externa, tunica media
Correct Answer: Tunica intima, tunica media, tunica externa.
Rationale: The innermost layer is the tunica intima, composed of endothelium. The middle layer is the
tunica media, containing smooth muscle for vasoconstriction. The outermost layer is the tunica externa,
which provides structural support.
3. Which tunic of a blood vessel wall is primarily responsible for vasoconstriction and vasodilation?
A) Tunica intima
B) Tunica media
,C) Tunica externa
D) Tunica adventitia
Correct Answer: Tunica media.
Rationale: The tunica media contains smooth muscle fibers and elastic tissue. Its contraction
(vasoconstriction) or relaxation (vasodilation) regulates blood vessel diameter, blood pressure, and
blood flow distribution.
4. The tunica intima is composed primarily of which type of epithelium?
A) Stratified squamous epithelium
B) Simple cuboidal epithelium
C) Simple squamous epithelium (endothelium)
D) Transitional epithelium
Correct Answer: Simple squamous epithelium (endothelium).
Rationale: The endothelium is a specialized simple squamous epithelium that lines the inner surface of
all blood vessels. This thin, smooth layer provides a friction-reducing lining and is active in capillary
exchange.
5. Which blood vessel type has the thickest tunica media relative to its lumen size?
A) Capillaries
B) Veins
C) Arteries
D) Venules
Correct Answer: Arteries.
, Rationale: Arteries must withstand and regulate the high pressure of blood pumped directly from the
heart. Their thick tunica media, rich in smooth muscle and elastic fibers, allows them to perform this
function effectively.
6. Which type of blood vessel contains valves to prevent the backflow of blood?
A) Arteries
B) Arterioles
C) Veins
D) Capillaries
Correct Answer: Veins.
Rationale: Veins, especially in the limbs, contain valves that prevent the backflow of blood. This is
necessary because venous blood pressure is low, and valves help ensure blood returns to the heart
against gravity.
7. A 65-year-old patient with a history of hypertension presents with leg swelling and varicose veins.
Which vessel type is most likely compromised?
A) Arteries
B) Veins
C) Arterioles
D) Capillaries
Correct Answer: Veins.
Rationale: Varicose veins and leg swelling often result from venous valve incompetence, leading to
blood pooling. Venous return relies on valves and skeletal muscle pumps to move blood back to the
heart, and their failure can cause these symptoms.
8. According to the structure of blood vessels, which layer is responsible for supplying blood to the walls
of large arteries and veins?
A) Tunica intima
