Physiology — Exam-Style Questions and
Answers for Cardiovascular System
What is the pericardium? - Correct answer- Fibrous CT covering that encases the heart and bases of great vessels
What are the 3 cardiac layers? - Correct answer- 1- Epicardium (visceral pericardium) Outer CT layer and
mesothelium
Myocardium : Middle cardiac muscle mass
Endocardium: Lined with endothelium Receives O■ directly from blood circulating within chambers
What are non chambers structures of the heart? (1)
Correct answer — Annulus fibrosus: CT ring (including valves) that separates atria from ventricles
Name the different chamber structures of the heart.
Correct answer — 1- Atria 2- Ventricles
Name the components of the atria (2)
Correct answer — 1- Atria 2 upper chambers of the heart
Function as low blood pressure reservoirs 2- Fossa ovalis (used in embryo) - Located on interatrial septum
Name the components of the ventricles? (2)
***Which ventricle is a high pressure system?
Correct answer — Components (2 lower chambers of the heart) 1) Left ventricle*** HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM -
Circular shape with a large myocardial mass - Works much harder than the right ventricle and more prone to
disease processes
2) Right ventricle generates a low pressure Pumps the same volume of blood as the left ventricle!
Interventricular septum separates the right and left ventricles
Name the heart chamber structures (2)
Correct answer — 1- Papillary muscles: 3 on the right and 2 on the left
2- Chordae tendineae: Attaches the papillary muscles to respective atrioventricular (AV) valve leaflets
Name the 2 chamber valves
Correct answer — 1- Atrioventricular valves Tricuspid
1
,Mitral valve
2- Semilunar values: Aortic and pulmonary valve
Name the atrioventricular valves? (2)
Correct answer — 1- Tricuspid valve: separates the right atrium from the right ventricle
2- Mitral valve: Separates the left ventricle from the left ventricle
What is the function of the atrioventricular values? (3)
Correct answer — 1- Open during diastole (ventricular relaxation)
Close during systole (ventricular contraction)
Prevents backward flow (regurgitation) of blood from the ventricles to the atria
Name the semilunar valves (2)
Correct answer — 1- Aortic valves: allows blood flow from the left ventricle into the systemic circuit
2- Pulmonic valve: Allows blood to flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary circuit.
What is the function of the semilunar valves? (3)
Correct answer — 1- Open during systole
Closed during diastole
Prevents regurgitation of blood into the ventricles Name the components responsible for pulmonary and systemic circulation
(2)
True or false Cardiac output of the right heart = cardiac output of the left heart
Correct answer — Pulmonary circulation: the right atrium and right ventricle
Systemic circulation: left atrium and left ventricle
2- TRUE! Cardiac output of the right heart= cardiac output of the left heart
Describe the path of blood flow in the heart
Name the three branches on top of the aorta (from left to right)
Correct answer — Branches on top of the aorta (left to right) Brachiocephalic → common cartoid → subclavian
****TEST QUESTION**** The heart receives its own blood supply during ___________.
O■ extraction from coronary arteries is _______.
Which area of the heart is most prone to ischemic damage and myocardial infarction?
2
, Correct answer — 1- The heart receives its own blood supply during DIASTOLE.
95 % Subendothelial
Where is the right coronary artery?
What does the right coronary artery supply? (2)
Correct answer — 1- Travels in the AV sulcus and becomes the posterior descending artery - right ventricle,
inferior wall and posterior interventricular septum
2- Blood supply to: SA node = 55% AV node = 90%
Where is the left coronary artery? (2)
Correct answer — Travels in the AV sulcus and divides into: LAD → anterior left ventricle, anterior interventricular
septum and heart apex
Circumflex → lateral left ventricle, posterior wall and SA node (supplying 45%)
Where are the coronary veins? (3)
Correct answer — 1- Right side empties primarily small and middle cardiac veins into the coronary sinus
Left side empties into the great cardiac veins into the coronary sinus
All eventually empty into the right atrium
Conduction pathway What is the SA node? (4)
Correct answer — 1- Located at junction of SVC and RA Heart's "natural pacemaker" Depolorizes the quickest of
all conduction pathway structures Produces "P wave" on EKG
Conduction Pathway: SA node What is parasympathetic innervation? (3)
Correct answer — 1) 1■ innervates the right vagus nerve
Releases ACh which ↓ the firing rate of the SA node
Atropine blocks AcH receptors which increases heart rate <3
*** Clinically we use anticholergeric agents for bradycardiac patients
Conduction Pathway: SA node What is sympathetic innervation? (4)
Correct answer — 1- Fibers originate from the cervical and thoracic ganglia
Positive chronotropic effect which ↑ heart rate
Positive inotropic effect which ↑ the force of contraction
Positive dromotrophic effect which ↑ conduction velocity through AVN
3