Question 1

Which layer of the heart wall is primarily responsible for the contractile function of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Myocardium

Question 2

A patient presents with chest pain due to myocardial ischemia. Which of the following best explains the underlying cause?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient oxygen supply to cardiac muscle tissue

Question 3

Which of the following statements about cardiac muscle tissue is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

It is voluntary and contains intercalated discs

Question 4

During ventricular contraction, which event prevents the AV valves from inverting into the atria?

Accepted Answer

Contraction of the papillary muscles pulling on the chordae tendineae

Question 5

Which vessel returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary vein

Question 6

What is the function of the pericardial cavity?

Accepted Answer

It contains serous fluid to reduce friction during heartbeats

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the pathway of blood through the right side of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Right atrium → tricuspid valve → right ventricle → pulmonary valve → pulmonary trunk

Question 8

Which structure in the fetal heart allows blood to bypass the under-developed lungs?

Accepted Answer

Ductus arteriosus

Question 9

A blockage in the anterior interventricular artery would most directly affect which region of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Majority of the left ventricle and interventricular septum

Question 10

Which of the following equations correctly represents cardiac output ($CO$) in terms of heart rate ($HR$) and stroke volume ($SV$)?

Accepted Answer

$CO = HR 	imes SV$

Question 11

Which of the following is a consequence of myocardial infarction (MI)?

Accepted Answer

Death of cardiac cells and replacement by non-contractile scar tissue

Question 12

Which valve prevents backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle?

Accepted Answer

Aortic semilunar valve

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the role of gap junctions in cardiac muscle?

Accepted Answer

They allow rapid movement of ions for synchronized contraction

Question 14

A patient is diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Which of the following is a possible complication?

Accepted Answer

Blood leaking from the left ventricle into the left atrium during contraction

Question 15

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the coronary circulation?

Accepted Answer

The circumflex artery supplies the left atrium and portions of the posterior left ventricle

Question 16

Which of the following is a function of the fibrous pericardium?

Accepted Answer

It anchors the heart and prevents overfilling

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why the left side of the heart has a thicker ventricular wall than the right?

Accepted Answer

It pumps blood to the systemic circuit, which is a long, high-pressure circuit

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct sequence for the flow of deoxygenated blood through the heart?

Accepted Answer

Superior vena cava → right atrium → tricuspid valve → right ventricle → pulmonary valve → pulmonary trunk

Question 19

Which of the following is a real-world application of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)?

Accepted Answer

Inflating a balloon catheter to compress arterial plaque and restore blood flow

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the function of cardiac pacemaker cells?

Accepted Answer

They set the basic rhythm of the heart and propagate action potentials

Anatomy & Physiology: The Heart – Structure, Function, and Circulation

Study Guide - Practice Questions