Anatomy Of the Heart

Question 1

What structure returns deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the heart?

Answer 1

Superior vena cava

The superior vena cava is a large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms, and upper body to the right atrium of the heart.

Question 2

What structure returns deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart?

Answer 2

Inferior vena cava

The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries blood from the lower body to the right atrium.

Question 3

What is the main artery that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart?

Answer 3

Ascending aorta

The ascending aorta is the section of the aorta that rises from the heart and distributes oxygenated blood to the body.

Question 4

Which structure carries blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation?

Answer 4

Pulmonary trunk

The pulmonary trunk branches into the left and right pulmonary arteries, transporting deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Question 5

What vessels return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?

Answer 5

Pulmonary veins

The pulmonary veins carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.

Question 6

What vessels carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?

Answer 6

Pulmonary arteries

The pulmonary arteries transport deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Question 7

What chamber of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body?

Answer 7

Right atrium

The right atrium collects deoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena cavae.

Question 8

What chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body?

Answer 8

Left ventricle

The left ventricle has the thickest walls and pumps oxygen-rich blood into the aorta for distribution to the body.

Question 9

What chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?

Answer 9

Left atrium

The left atrium collects oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.

Question 10

What chamber of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs?

Answer 10

Right ventricle

The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk.

Question 11

What is the curved portion of the aorta called that arches over the heart?

Answer 11

Aortic arch

The aortic arch is the section of the aorta that bends between the ascending and descending aorta.

Question 12

What valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle?

Answer 12

Mitral (bicuspid) valve

The mitral valve prevents backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium.

Question 13

What valve controls blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta?

Answer 13

Aortic valve

The aortic valve prevents blood from flowing back into the left ventricle after it has been pumped into the aorta.

Question 14

What valve controls blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary trunk?

Answer 14

Pulmonary valve

The pulmonary valve prevents backflow into the right ventricle after blood has been pumped into the pulmonary trunk.

Question 15

What muscle structure helps to anchor the heart valves?

Answer 15

Papillary muscle

Papillary muscles are attached to the heart valves via chordae tendineae and help keep the valves closed during ventricular contraction.

Question 16

What structure divides the left and right ventricles?

Answer 16

Interventricular septum

The interventricular septum is a muscular wall that separates the left and right ventricles of the heart.

Question 17

What is the outer layer of the heart called?

Answer 17

Epicardium

The epicardium is the outermost layer of the heart wall, also known as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.

Question 18

What is the middle layer of the heart that is responsible for contraction?

Answer 18

Myocardium

The myocardium is the thick, muscular middle layer of the heart that contracts to pump blood.

Question 19

What is the inner lining of the heart chambers called?

Answer 19

Endocardium

The endocardium is the smooth inner lining of the heart that covers the heart valves and chambers.

Question 20

What fibrous cords connect the papillary muscles to the heart valves?

Answer 20

Chordae tendineae

Chordae tendineae are tendinous cords that anchor the heart valves to the papillary muscles.

Question 21

What valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle?

Answer 21

Tricuspid valve

The tricuspid valve has three leaflets and prevents backflow of blood into the right atrium during ventricular contraction.

Question 22

What remnant structure is found in the interatrial septum that was once the foramen ovale?

Answer 22

Fossa ovalis

The fossa ovalis is a depression in the interatrial septum, marking the site of the foramen ovale, which allowed blood flow between the atria in fetal circulation.

Question 23

What ligament is a remnant of the ductus arteriosus?

Answer 23

Ligamentum arteriosum

The ligamentum arteriosum connects the pulmonary trunk to the aorta and is a remnant of the ductus arteriosus, which closes after birth.

Question 24

What are the muscular ridges found in the atria called?

Answer 24

Pectinate muscles

Pectinate muscles are ridged muscles located in the atrial walls, aiding in the contraction of the atria.

Question 25

What are the ear-like extensions of the atria called?

Answer 25

Auricles ## Footnote Auricles are small, ear-shaped extensions of the atria that increase the volume capacity of the atrial chambers.

Question 29

What are the major blood vessels associated with the heart?

Answer 29

Superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, ascending aorta, pulmonary trunk, pulmonary veins, pulmonary arteries ## Footnote These vessels play critical roles in blood circulation to and from the heart.

Question 30

What are the four chambers of the heart?

Answer 30

Right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle ## Footnote Each chamber has specific functions in the circulation of blood.

Question 31

What are the types of valves found in the heart?

Answer 31

Mitral (bicuspid) valve, aortic valve, pulmonary valve, tricuspid valve ## Footnote These valves regulate blood flow through the heart.

Question 32

What are the layers of the heart wall?

Answer 32

Epicardium, myocardium, endocardium ## Footnote Each layer has distinct functions and characteristics.

Question 33

What is the function of chordae tendineae?

Answer 33

Connects the papillary muscles to the atrioventricular valves ## Footnote This structure helps to prevent valve prolapse.

Question 34

What are the structural features unique to cardiac muscle?

Answer 34

Intercalated discs, striations ## Footnote These features are essential for the synchronized contraction of the heart.

Question 35

Name two blood vessels responsible for nourishing the heart muscle.

Answer 35

Anterior interventricular artery, right coronary artery ## Footnote These vessels supply blood to the myocardium.

Question 36

What is the fossa ovalis?

Answer 36

A remnant of the foramen ovale in the fetal heart ## Footnote It is a vestigial structure with no apparent function in adults.

Question 37

What is the ligamentum arteriosum?

Answer 37

A remnant of the ductus arteriosus in the fetal heart ## Footnote This structure connects the pulmonary trunk and the aorta.

Question 38

What are trabeculae carneae?

Answer 38

Muscular ridges on the inner surface of the ventricles ## Footnote They help to support the structure of the ventricles.

Question 39

True or False: The pulmonary veins carry oxygen-poor blood.

Answer 39

False ## Footnote The pulmonary veins carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart.

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The _______ is responsible for separating the left and right atria.

Answer 40

Interatrial septum ## Footnote This septum prevents the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Question 41

Compare and contrast the mechanism of valve closing for semilunar vs. atrioventricular valves.

Answer 41

Semilunar valves close due to backflow of blood; atrioventricular valves close due to tension in chordae tendineae ## Footnote Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for grasping heart function.

Question 42

Trace the route of blood through the systemic and pulmonary circuits.

Answer 42

Systemic circuit: Left ventricle → Aorta → Body tissues → Superior/Inferior vena cava → Right atrium; Pulmonary circuit: Right ventricle → Pulmonary trunk → Lungs → Pulmonary veins → Left atrium ## Footnote Blood oxygen levels vary throughout these circuits.