,BIOD 152 Module 4 Exam | Essential Human Anatomy &
Physiology II | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Which body system supplies cells with oxygen and nutrients, prevents blood loss, transports gases,
and carries away waste?
A) Nervous system
B) Respiratory system
C) Urinary system
D) Circulatory system
Correct Answer: Circulatory system
Rationale: The circulatory system is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to
cells while removing carbon dioxide and other wastes. The nervous, respiratory, and urinary systems
each perform only one of these functions, but the circulatory system carries out all the functions listed.
2. The heart is contained in which cavity?
A) Pleural cavity
B) Pericardial cavity
C) Mediastinal cavity
D) Abdominal cavity
Correct Answer: Pericardial cavity
Rationale: The heart is located within the pericardial cavity, a fluid-filled space that provides cushioning
and reduces friction during heart contractions. The pleural cavity contains the lungs, and the
mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity that contains the heart within the
pericardial sac.
3. Which layer of the heart is composed of the contractile cardiac muscle?
A) Epicardium
,B) Endocardium
C) Myocardium
D) Pericardium
Correct Answer: Myocardium
Rationale: The myocardium is the middle and thickest layer of the heart wall, composed of cardiac
muscle tissue responsible for the heart's contractile force. The epicardium is the outer layer, the
endocardium lines the inner chambers, and the pericardium is the sac surrounding the heart.
4. What is the purpose of the fossa ovalis in a fetus?
A) It allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the right atrium
B) It allows fetal blood to bypass the undeveloped lungs by moving directly from the right atrium to the
left atrium
C) It connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta
D) It regulates blood flow to the fetal brain
Correct Answer: It allows fetal blood to bypass the undeveloped lungs by moving directly from the right
atrium to the left atrium
Rationale: The fossa ovalis is an opening between the atria in the fetal heart that allows blood to bypass
the non-functioning fetal lungs. It closes shortly after birth, allowing the lungs to receive oxygenated
blood once the baby begins to breathe.
5. Which layer of a blood vessel contains the muscular layer responsible for vasoconstriction and
vasodilation?
A) Tunica externa
B) Tunica media
C) Tunica intima
D) Tunica adventitia
, Correct Answer: Tunica media
Rationale: The tunica media is the middle layer of a blood vessel wall composed of smooth muscle and
elastic fibers. It regulates vessel diameter through vasoconstriction and vasodilation, controlling blood
pressure and flow. The tunica externa anchors the vessel, and the tunica intima is the innermost
endothelial layer.
6. The aortic arch turns to become which structure?
A) Pulmonary trunk
B) Superior vena cava
C) Descending aorta
D) Ascending aorta
Correct Answer: Descending aorta
Rationale: The aortic arch curves upward and to the left, then turns downward to become the
descending aorta, which continues through the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The ascending aorta is
the initial portion arising from the left ventricle.
7. Which of the following vessels would you expect to be the best place to feel a strong pulse?
A) Subclavian vein
B) Inferior vena cava
C) Common carotid artery
D) Brachiocephalic vein
Correct Answer: Common carotid artery
Rationale: Arteries have palpable pulses due to their thick, elastic walls and the pressure wave
generated by ventricular contraction. The common carotid artery, located in the neck, is a superficial
artery where a strong pulse can easily be felt. Veins do not have palpable pulses.
Physiology II | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Which body system supplies cells with oxygen and nutrients, prevents blood loss, transports gases,
and carries away waste?
A) Nervous system
B) Respiratory system
C) Urinary system
D) Circulatory system
Correct Answer: Circulatory system
Rationale: The circulatory system is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to
cells while removing carbon dioxide and other wastes. The nervous, respiratory, and urinary systems
each perform only one of these functions, but the circulatory system carries out all the functions listed.
2. The heart is contained in which cavity?
A) Pleural cavity
B) Pericardial cavity
C) Mediastinal cavity
D) Abdominal cavity
Correct Answer: Pericardial cavity
Rationale: The heart is located within the pericardial cavity, a fluid-filled space that provides cushioning
and reduces friction during heart contractions. The pleural cavity contains the lungs, and the
mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity that contains the heart within the
pericardial sac.
3. Which layer of the heart is composed of the contractile cardiac muscle?
A) Epicardium
,B) Endocardium
C) Myocardium
D) Pericardium
Correct Answer: Myocardium
Rationale: The myocardium is the middle and thickest layer of the heart wall, composed of cardiac
muscle tissue responsible for the heart's contractile force. The epicardium is the outer layer, the
endocardium lines the inner chambers, and the pericardium is the sac surrounding the heart.
4. What is the purpose of the fossa ovalis in a fetus?
A) It allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the right atrium
B) It allows fetal blood to bypass the undeveloped lungs by moving directly from the right atrium to the
left atrium
C) It connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta
D) It regulates blood flow to the fetal brain
Correct Answer: It allows fetal blood to bypass the undeveloped lungs by moving directly from the right
atrium to the left atrium
Rationale: The fossa ovalis is an opening between the atria in the fetal heart that allows blood to bypass
the non-functioning fetal lungs. It closes shortly after birth, allowing the lungs to receive oxygenated
blood once the baby begins to breathe.
5. Which layer of a blood vessel contains the muscular layer responsible for vasoconstriction and
vasodilation?
A) Tunica externa
B) Tunica media
C) Tunica intima
D) Tunica adventitia
, Correct Answer: Tunica media
Rationale: The tunica media is the middle layer of a blood vessel wall composed of smooth muscle and
elastic fibers. It regulates vessel diameter through vasoconstriction and vasodilation, controlling blood
pressure and flow. The tunica externa anchors the vessel, and the tunica intima is the innermost
endothelial layer.
6. The aortic arch turns to become which structure?
A) Pulmonary trunk
B) Superior vena cava
C) Descending aorta
D) Ascending aorta
Correct Answer: Descending aorta
Rationale: The aortic arch curves upward and to the left, then turns downward to become the
descending aorta, which continues through the thoracic and abdominal cavities. The ascending aorta is
the initial portion arising from the left ventricle.
7. Which of the following vessels would you expect to be the best place to feel a strong pulse?
A) Subclavian vein
B) Inferior vena cava
C) Common carotid artery
D) Brachiocephalic vein
Correct Answer: Common carotid artery
Rationale: Arteries have palpable pulses due to their thick, elastic walls and the pressure wave
generated by ventricular contraction. The common carotid artery, located in the neck, is a superficial
artery where a strong pulse can easily be felt. Veins do not have palpable pulses.
