System Structure: Cardiovascular - Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination Mblex

1. What is the semilunar valve at the exit of the right ventricle called?

   Pulmonary semilunar valve. It opens during right ventricular systole to allow blood exit to the lungs and closes to prevent regurgitation.

2. What conduction pathway carries impulses from the AV node into the interventricular septum?

   AV bundle (bundle of His). It penetrates the septum to transmit impulses from atria to ventricles, splitting into bundle branches.

3. What is the semilunar valve at the exit of the left ventricle called?

   Aortic semilunar valve. It facilitates blood ejection into systemic circulation during left ventricular contraction while blocking backflow.

4. What is the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle called?

   Tricuspid (right AV) valve. With three cusps, it ensures unidirectional flow from atrium to ventricle, preventing backflow during systole.

5. What are capillaries primarily specialized for in the cardiovascular system?

   Exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes with tissues. Their thin, permeable walls enable diffusion processes essential for tissue homeostasis and metabolic support.

6. What is the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle called?

   Mitral (bicuspid, left AV) valve. Featuring two cusps, it maintains forward blood flow in the left heart under higher pressure conditions.

7. Which heart chamber receives deoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena cava?

   Right atrium. It serves as the entry point for systemic venous return, collecting blood low in oxygen before forwarding to the right ventricle.

8. What structures anchor AV valve cusps to prevent prolapse during ventricular systole?

   Chordae tendineae. These fibrous cords connect valve cusps to ventricular walls, maintaining closure against systolic pressure.

9. What are the three layers of the heart wall from superficial to deep?

   Epicardium, myocardium, endocardium. These layers provide external protection, muscular contraction for pumping, and internal lining for smooth blood flow, respectively.

10. Which heart chamber pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta?

    Left ventricle. Its thick muscular walls enable high-pressure ejection of oxygenated blood into systemic circulation.

11. What muscles tighten the chordae tendineae during ventricular contraction?

    Papillary muscles. They contract simultaneously with the ventricle to tension the chords, ensuring proper valve function.

12. Which heart chamber pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk?

    Right ventricle. It contracts to propel deoxygenated blood toward the lungs for gas exchange via the pulmonary circulation.

13. What is the serous membrane that surrounds the heart called?

    Pericardium. It forms a protective sac around the heart, reducing friction with lubricating fluid during cardiac movement.

14. What is the primary structural difference between arteries and veins?

    Arteries: thicker walls; veins: thinner walls with valves. Arterial walls resist high pressure from heart ejection, while venous features aid return against gravity in low-pressure flow.

15. Which vessels return deoxygenated blood from the upper and lower body to the right atrium?

    Superior vena cava and inferior vena cava. They converge systemic venous blood from respective body halves into the heart for pulmonary circulation.

16. Which conduction structure delays the impulse before it enters the ventricles?

    Atrioventricular (AV) node. Situated at the atrial septum, it provides a brief pause for complete atrial emptying before ventricular excitation.

17. What is the heart's intrinsic pacemaker called?

    Sinoatrial (SA) node. Located in the right atrial wall, it spontaneously generates action potentials to set the heart's rhythm.

18. Which heart chamber receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins?

    Left atrium. It acts as the receiving chamber for pulmonary venous return, holding oxygenated blood prior to left ventricular filling.

19. What is the vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs?

    Pulmonary trunk. It branches into arteries directing blood to lungs for oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal.

20. What is the name of the arteries that supply the myocardium with oxygenated blood?

    Coronary arteries. Arising from the aortic base, they deliver nutrient-rich blood to sustain the heart's high metabolic demands.

21. What are the vessels that return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?

    Pulmonary veins. These vessels uniquely carry oxygen-rich blood from pulmonary capillaries back to the heart for systemic delivery.

22. What fibers distribute the electrical impulse throughout the ventricular myocardium?

    Purkinje fibers. These large conduction cells rapidly propagate impulses from bundle branches to apex and walls for synchronized contraction.

23. What is the large artery that carries blood from the left ventricle to systemic circulation?

    Aorta. As the main systemic artery, it branches to distribute oxygenated blood to all body tissues.

24. What is the correct blood flow sequence through the heart starting at the right atrium?

    RA → RV → lungs → LA → LV → aorta. This pathway ensures deoxygenated blood is oxygenated in lungs before systemic distribution, maintaining circulation efficiency.

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