System Function: Cardiovascular - Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Mblex

1. What is the typical adult resting blood pressure value commonly cited as normal?

   Approximately $120/80$ mmHg. Represents average healthy values where systolic peaks during contraction and diastolic troughs during relaxation.

2. What vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium?

   Superior and inferior vena cava. These large veins collect deoxygenated blood from systemic circulation and deliver it to the heart for pulmonary oxygenation.

3. What are the two major circulatory circuits and their general targets?

   Pulmonary: heart↔lungs; Systemic: heart↔body tissues. Pulmonary circuit oxygenates blood in lungs, while systemic delivers it to body tissues for metabolic support.

4. What is the definition of diastole in the cardiac cycle?

   Ventricular relaxation and filling phase. Allows ventricles to refill with blood from atria in preparation for the next contraction.

5. What vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium?

   Pulmonary veins. These vessels transport oxygen-rich blood from pulmonary gas exchange back to the heart for systemic circulation.

6. What is the formula for cardiac output using heart rate and stroke volume?

   $CO = HR \times SV$. Cardiac output quantifies total blood volume ejected per minute as the product of beats and volume per beat.

7. What is the name of the valve between the left ventricle and the aorta?

   Aortic semilunar valve. Controls outflow from the left ventricle into the aorta, maintaining forward flow during systemic ejection.

8. What are the four chambers of the heart, listed in the order blood flows through them?

   Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle. Blood enters the right side from the body, flows to lungs via right ventricle, then returns to left side for systemic distribution.

9. What is the definition of systole in the cardiac cycle?

   Ventricular contraction and ejection phase. Represents the active phase where ventricles pump blood into pulmonary and systemic circuits.

10. What is the name of the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle?

    Mitral (bicuspid, left atrioventricular) valve. Facilitates one-way blood passage from atrium to ventricle on the left side to support high-pressure systemic pumping.

11. What structure is the normal electrical pathway between atria and ventricles?

    Atrioventricular (AV) node and AV bundle (bundle of His). These components conduct impulses from atria to ventricles, ensuring synchronized contraction for effective pumping.

12. What is the typical adult resting heart rate range used in basic vital sign norms?

    Approximately $60$ to $100$ beats/min. Reflects normal autonomic regulation in healthy adults at rest, balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic inputs.

13. What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system in human physiology?

    Transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones; remove wastes; support homeostasis. Circulates essential substances to tissues while eliminating metabolic byproducts to maintain internal balance.

14. What is the primary site of exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes in circulation?

    Capillaries. Thin walls and extensive networks enable diffusion of molecules between blood and interstitial fluid.

15. Which vessels contain valves to help prevent backflow, especially in the limbs?

    Medium and large veins. Valves counteract gravity and low pressure in extremities to ensure efficient venous return to the heart.

16. What is the name of the valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary trunk?

    Pulmonary semilunar valve. Guards the exit from the right ventricle to prevent backflow during relaxation after pulmonary ejection.

17. What is the functional role of cardiac valves during the cardiac cycle?

    Prevent backflow and maintain one-way blood flow. Valves open and close in response to pressure changes, ensuring efficient forward propulsion without regurgitation.

18. What does the diastolic blood pressure number represent physiologically?

    Arterial pressure during ventricular relaxation. Indicates baseline arterial tension when heart is relaxed, influenced by vascular tone and blood volume.

19. What is the pacemaker of the heart that normally initiates each heartbeat?

    Sinoatrial (SA) node. Located in the right atrium, it generates rhythmic electrical impulses to coordinate atrial and ventricular contractions.

20. What is the primary function of veins compared with arteries?

    Return blood to the heart; act as capacitance (reservoir) vessels. Veins accommodate large blood volumes at low pressure, using valves and muscle pumps to aid return flow.

21. What is the formula for pulse pressure using systolic and diastolic pressures?

    $PP = SBP - DBP$. Pulse pressure reflects the difference in arterial pressures, indicating stroke volume and vascular compliance.

22. If $HR = 70$ beats/min and $SV = 70$ mL/beat, what is cardiac output in L/min?

    $4.9$ L/min. Calculated by multiplying heart rate by stroke volume and converting to liters for systemic flow assessment.

23. What is the name of the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle?

    Tricuspid (right atrioventricular) valve. Ensures unidirectional flow from atrium to ventricle on the right side during atrial contraction.

24. What does the systolic blood pressure number represent physiologically?

    Arterial pressure during ventricular contraction. Measures peak arterial wall stress from ventricular ejection force against vascular resistance.

25. Which blood vessels have the thickest tunica media to withstand highest pressure?

    Arteries (especially elastic arteries). Thick muscular layer allows expansion and recoil to handle pulsatile high-pressure blood from the heart.

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