Question 1

Which of the following best describes the function of the right side of the heart in the cardiovascular system?

Accepted Answer

It receives oxygen-poor blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs via the pulmonary circuit.

Question 2

A patient presents with a pericardial friction rub and chest pain. Which condition is most likely responsible, and what is a key feature of this condition?

Accepted Answer

Pericarditis; inflammation roughens the pericardial membrane surfaces.

Question 3

Which anatomical feature is responsible for anchoring the cardiac muscle fibers and supporting the heart valves?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac skeleton

Question 4

During ventricular contraction, which structure prevents the atrioventricular (AV) valve flaps from inverting into the atria?

Accepted Answer

Chordae tendineae

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why the left ventricle has a thicker wall than the right ventricle?

Accepted Answer

It pumps blood with greater pressure to overcome higher resistance in the systemic circuit.

Question 6

A patient with an incompetent mitral valve would most likely experience which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Blood backflows into the left atrium during ventricular contraction.

Question 7

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the coronary circulation?

Accepted Answer

The left ventricle receives most of the coronary blood supply.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the difference in the source of calcium for contraction between cardiac and skeletal muscle?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac muscle uses both extracellular Ca$$^{2+}$$ and sarcoplasmic reticulum, while skeletal muscle uses only sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Question 9

Which of the following is a direct result of the longer absolute refractory period in cardiac muscle compared to skeletal muscle?

Accepted Answer

The heart can relax and fill efficiently between contractions.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Interventricular septum and anterior ventricular walls

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why no valves are found between the major veins and the atria?

Accepted Answer

The inertia of incoming blood and compression of venous openings during heart contraction prevent backflow.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about cardiac muscle cells is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

They are striated, short, branched, and interconnected by intercalated discs.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

It anchors the heart to surrounding structures and prevents overfilling.

Question 14

A patient is diagnosed with valvular stenosis. Which of the following best describes the impact on heart function?

Accepted Answer

The heart needs to exert more force to pump blood through the stiff valve.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary veins → left atrium → mitral valve → left ventricle → aortic semilunar valve → aorta

Question 16

Which of the following is a unique property of pacemaker cells in cardiac muscle?

Accepted Answer

They spontaneously depolarize and initiate the depolarization of the entire heart.

Question 17

Which of the following best explains why the heart is considered a functional syncytium?

Accepted Answer

Gap junctions electrically couple adjacent cells, allowing coordinated contraction.

Question 18

A patient experiences thoracic pain due to a fleeting deficiency in blood delivery to the myocardium. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Angina pectoris

Question 19

Which of the following statements about the energy metabolism of cardiac muscle is CORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac muscle relies almost exclusively on aerobic respiration and has more mitochondria than skeletal muscle.

Question 20

Which of the following is a direct function of the papillary muscles in the heart?

Accepted Answer

They anchor the chordae tendineae, preventing AV valve prolapse during ventricular contraction.

Chapter 18: The Cardiovascular System – Heart Anatomy and Physiology

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