Cardiovascular System Review

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Questions and Answers

If the pericardial cavity were to accumulate an excessive amount of fluid, potentially restricting the heart's movement, which condition would this induce?

Pericarditis, leading to inflamed pericardial surfaces.
Myocardial infarction, causing a loss of blood flow to the heart.
Cardiac tamponade, restricting heart movement. (correct)
Endocarditis, resulting in inflammation of the heart's inner lining.

Which blood vessels are responsible for carrying blood away from the heart, regardless of the oxygen content?

Capillaries, facilitating exchange between blood and tissues.
Arteries, carrying blood away from the heart. (correct)
Venules, collecting blood from capillaries.
Veins, returning blood to the heart.

Which heart chamber receives blood from the systemic circuit, which has circulated throughout the body?

Left atrium
Right ventricle
Right atrium (correct)
Left ventricle

Within the pericardium, what is the specific location of the pericardial fluid, crucial for minimizing friction as the heart beats?

The region separating the parietal and visceral layers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the functional significance of the capillary vessels within the cardiovascular system?

Exchanging dissolved gases, nutrients, and wastes between the blood and surrounding tissues. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A surgeon performing a heart operation refers to the coronary sulcus. What anatomical landmark is the surgeon most likely referencing?

The division between the atria and ventricles. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which circuit is responsible for transporting oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs for oxygenation and then returning oxygen-rich blood back to the heart?

Pulmonary circuit (C) Signup and view all the answers

In a patient diagnosed with pericarditis, what specific physical sign would a clinician most likely detect during auscultation of the heart?

A distinctive scratching sound caused by inflamed pericardial surfaces rubbing together. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the heart wall is also known as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium?

Epicardium (B) Signup and view all the answers

If the cardiac skeleton were compromised, which of the following functions would be MOST directly affected?

Electrical insulation between the atria and ventricles (C) Signup and view all the answers

A congenital defect results in an incomplete closure of the foramen ovale after birth. What is the MOST likely consequence of this condition?

Mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why are the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles critical for the function of the atrioventricular valves?

They prevent the valve cusps from inverting back into the atria during ventricular contraction. (B) Signup and view all the answers

If a patient has damage to the pectinate muscles of the right atrium, what would be the MOST likely physiological consequence?

Decreased efficiency of atrial contraction (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the structural relationship between the interatrial and interventricular septa?

The interventricular septum is much thicker than the interatrial septum because it must withstand higher pressures. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What functional problem would you expect if the elastic tissue within the connective tissues of the heart were compromised?

Impaired ability of the heart to return to its original shape after contraction (A) Signup and view all the answers

A patient presents with blood backing up into the systemic circulation. Which valve is MOST likely failing?

Aortic Valve (A) Signup and view all the answers

During a cardiac catheterization, a dye is injected into the superior vena cava. Which heart chamber will the dye enter FIRST?

Right Atrium (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do semilunar valves and atrioventricular (AV) valves differ in structure and function?

Semilunar valves prevent backflow of blood into the ventricles, while AV valves prevent backflow into the atria. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary significance of the prolonged absolute refractory period in cardiac contractile cells?

It prevents tetany, ensuring that the heart muscle relaxes between contractions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the entry of extracellular calcium ions ($Ca^{2+}$) during the plateau phase of a cardiac action potential contribute to cardiac muscle contraction?

It triggers the release of additional $Ca^{2+}$ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, amplifying the contraction signal. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which cellular structure is MOST directly responsible for the transfer of the force of contraction between adjacent cardiac muscle cells?

Intercalated discs (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does an increase in heart rate affect the duration of the different phases of the cardiac cycle, and why is this significant?

It selectively shortens diastole, potentially reducing ventricular filling time. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary energy source for cardiac contractions, and how is it maintained even under increased demand?

Aerobic metabolism of fatty acids and glucose, supported by myoglobin and coronary circulation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

During which phase of the cardiac cycle does the blood pressure within the ventricles typically reach its minimum value?

Ventricular diastole (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why are cardiac muscle cells highly sensitive to changes in extracellular calcium ion ($Ca^{2+}$) concentrations, and what mechanisms regulate intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels to maintain proper cardiac function?

Because extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ entry is a key component of the plateau phase and influences the amount of $Ca^{2+}$ released from the SR. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the role of arterial anastomoses in the heart's circulatory system?

They ensure a continuous blood supply to the cardiac muscle by interconnecting the anterior and posterior interventricular arteries. (D) Signup and view all the answers

A patient experiencing chest pain upon exertion is diagnosed with angina pectoris. Which pathophysiological mechanism is the MOST likely cause of this condition?

Temporary myocardial ischemia due to increased cardiac workload and reduced blood flow. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Following a myocardial infarction (MI) in the left ventricle, which of the following consequences is MOST likely?

Formation of an infarct, resulting in a nonfunctional area and potential reduction in overall cardiac function. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the MOST common etiology of a myocardial infarction (MI)?

Coronary thrombosis at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque, leading to obstruction of blood flow. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Atherosclerotic plaques in coronary artery disease (CAD) MOST directly cause myocardial ischemia through which mechanism?

Narrowing the passageway of coronary vessels, reducing blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Occlusion of the posterior interventricular artery would MOST directly affect the blood supply to which of the following?

The right atrium and portions of both ventricles. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST direct consequence of coronary ischemia on cardiac function?

Reduced cardiac performance due to decreased oxygen and nutrient supply. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which cardiac vein drains the area supplied by the anterior interventricular artery?

Great cardiac vein (D) Signup and view all the answers

If the circumflex artery were to become severely blocked, which structure would be MOST at risk?

Left ventricle (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement BEST explains why elevated blood pressure helps maintain blood flow through the coronary arteries?

Elevated blood pressure and the elastic rebound of the aorta maintain blood flow through the coronary arteries. (B) Signup and view all the answers

If the AV node were to become the primary pacemaker of the heart, what would be the expected heart rate, and what impact would this have on the ECG?

40-60 bpm; the ECG might show an absent or inverted P wave. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How would damage to the bundle branches specifically affect the heart's function and what changes might you observe on an ECG?

Disrupt the coordinated depolarization of the ventricles, possibly leading to a widened QRS complex on the ECG. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What physiological consequence would result from a significant prolongation of the P-R interval, and what does this prolongation indicate about the heart's electrical activity?

Delayed transmission of the action potential from the atria to the ventricles, potentially indicating a first-degree AV block. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the functional significance of the moderator band, and how does its presence contribute to the overall efficiency of ventricular contraction?

Carries the Purkinje fibers to the papillary muscles, allowing for the prompt contraction of these muscles and proper tension of the chordae tendineae before ventricular contraction. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How would impaired function of the intercalated discs affect cardiac muscle physiology, and which specific components of these discs would be most critical in this scenario?

Disrupted electrical synchronicity and weakened force of contraction, mainly due to malfunction of the gap junctions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If the resting membrane potential of ventricular cells were to gradually depolarize from -90mV to -60mV, what effect would this have on cardiac muscle function, and how would it manifest clinically?

Decreased excitability and potential for arrhythmias, clinically indicated by an irregular heart rhythm. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying mechanism that allows for the spontaneous depolarization of pacemaker cells in the SA node, distinguishing them from other cardiac cells?

Unique ion channels that open at negative membrane potentials, allowing a slow influx of sodium ions and a decreased efflux of potassium ions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How would an ectopic pacemaker in the ventricles affect the normal sequence of cardiac excitation, and what specific ECG changes would likely be observed?

It would cause premature ventricular contractions and result in a widened QRS complex without a preceding P wave on the ECG. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the delay in impulse conduction at the AV node, and how does this delay contribute to efficient cardiac function?

It allows the atria to contract and empty blood into the ventricles before ventricular systole, ensuring optimal ventricular filling. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the distribution of Purkinje fibers within the ventricular myocardium optimize ventricular contraction, and what would be the consequence of their dysfunction?

They conduct impulses rapidly and uniformly, ensuring a synchronized and powerful contraction across the ventricles. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cardiovascular System

Includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels, working together to circulate blood throughout the body.

Pulmonary Circuit

The circuit that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and returns oxygenated blood back to the heart.

Systemic Circuit

The circuit that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.