BIOL252: Human Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab LATEST
EDITION 2026 WITH CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED AND AN IN-
DEPTH RATIONALE!
Module 2 Exam Review: The Cardiovascular System - The Heart
Question 1:
Multiple Choice: Identify the component of the heart pointed to by the line in the diagram below (Figure
1).
(A diagram of the heart is shown with a line pointing to the right atrioventricular valve)
A) Right atrium
B) Tricuspid valve
C) Right ventricle
D) Pulmonary semilunar valve
Correct ANSWER: B) Tricuspid valve
Rationale: The structure pointed to is the atrioventricular (AV) valve located on the right side of the
heart. This valve, which consists of three cusps, is specifically known as the tricuspid valve. It prevents
the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium during ventricular contraction
(systole).
Question 2:
,Multiple Choice: The shallow depression that is a remnant of the foramen ovale in the fetal heart is
known as the:
A) Fossa ovalis
B) Ligamentum arteriosum
C) Pectinate muscles
D) Trabeculae carneae
Correct ANSWER: A) Fossa ovalis
Rationale: The fossa ovalis is an oval-shaped depression found in the interatrial septum of the adult
heart. It represents the remnant of the foramen ovale, which was an opening between the two atria in
the fetal heart that allowed blood to bypass the non-functional fetal lungs. After birth, this opening
closes and becomes the fossa ovalis.
Question 3:
Multiple Choice: Identify the highlighted structure in the diagram below (Figure 2).
(A diagram of the interior of the left ventricle is shown with strings attached to the mitral valve
highlighted.)
A) Pectinate muscles
B) Chordae tendineae
C) Papillary muscles
D) Trabeculae carneae
, Correct ANSWER: B) Chordae tendineae
Rationale: The highlighted structure consists of thin, fibrous cords that are often described as "heart
strings." These are the chordae tendineae. They connect the papillary muscles to the cusps of the
atrioventricular valves (tricuspid and mitral). Their primary function is to prevent the valve cusps from
prolapsing (everting) into the atria during ventricular systole, ensuring unidirectional blood flow.
Question 4:
Multiple Choice: The visceral layer of the serous pericardium is also known as the:
A) Fibrous pericardium
B) Parietal pericardium
C) Epicardium
D) Endocardium
Correct ANSWER: C) Epicardium
Rationale: The pericardium is a double-layered sac that surrounds the heart. The outer, tough layer is
the fibrous pericardium. The inner serous pericardium has two layers: the parietal layer, which lines the
inside of the fibrous pericardium, and the visceral layer, which is closely adhered to the surface of the
heart. This visceral layer is specifically called the epicardium, which is also the outermost layer of the
heart wall itself.
Question 5:
Multiple Choice: The P wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG) represents:
A) Ventricular depolarization
EDITION 2026 WITH CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED AND AN IN-
DEPTH RATIONALE!
Module 2 Exam Review: The Cardiovascular System - The Heart
Question 1:
Multiple Choice: Identify the component of the heart pointed to by the line in the diagram below (Figure
1).
(A diagram of the heart is shown with a line pointing to the right atrioventricular valve)
A) Right atrium
B) Tricuspid valve
C) Right ventricle
D) Pulmonary semilunar valve
Correct ANSWER: B) Tricuspid valve
Rationale: The structure pointed to is the atrioventricular (AV) valve located on the right side of the
heart. This valve, which consists of three cusps, is specifically known as the tricuspid valve. It prevents
the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium during ventricular contraction
(systole).
Question 2:
,Multiple Choice: The shallow depression that is a remnant of the foramen ovale in the fetal heart is
known as the:
A) Fossa ovalis
B) Ligamentum arteriosum
C) Pectinate muscles
D) Trabeculae carneae
Correct ANSWER: A) Fossa ovalis
Rationale: The fossa ovalis is an oval-shaped depression found in the interatrial septum of the adult
heart. It represents the remnant of the foramen ovale, which was an opening between the two atria in
the fetal heart that allowed blood to bypass the non-functional fetal lungs. After birth, this opening
closes and becomes the fossa ovalis.
Question 3:
Multiple Choice: Identify the highlighted structure in the diagram below (Figure 2).
(A diagram of the interior of the left ventricle is shown with strings attached to the mitral valve
highlighted.)
A) Pectinate muscles
B) Chordae tendineae
C) Papillary muscles
D) Trabeculae carneae
, Correct ANSWER: B) Chordae tendineae
Rationale: The highlighted structure consists of thin, fibrous cords that are often described as "heart
strings." These are the chordae tendineae. They connect the papillary muscles to the cusps of the
atrioventricular valves (tricuspid and mitral). Their primary function is to prevent the valve cusps from
prolapsing (everting) into the atria during ventricular systole, ensuring unidirectional blood flow.
Question 4:
Multiple Choice: The visceral layer of the serous pericardium is also known as the:
A) Fibrous pericardium
B) Parietal pericardium
C) Epicardium
D) Endocardium
Correct ANSWER: C) Epicardium
Rationale: The pericardium is a double-layered sac that surrounds the heart. The outer, tough layer is
the fibrous pericardium. The inner serous pericardium has two layers: the parietal layer, which lines the
inside of the fibrous pericardium, and the visceral layer, which is closely adhered to the surface of the
heart. This visceral layer is specifically called the epicardium, which is also the outermost layer of the
heart wall itself.
Question 5:
Multiple Choice: The P wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG) represents:
A) Ventricular depolarization
