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Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

7 cards from real CCI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which cardiac structure is the primary determinant of afterload for the left ventricle?

    Answer: Systemic vascular resistance

    Left ventricular afterload is primarily determined by systemic vascular resistance (SVR), which the LV must overcome to eject blood into the aorta.

  2. In a normal adult heart, the QRS complex duration should not exceed:

    Answer: 120 ms (0.12 sec)

    Normal QRS duration is 60–100 ms; a QRS ≥120 ms indicates abnormal ventricular conduction (bundle branch block or ventricular origin).

  3. Which portion of the cardiac conduction system has the slowest conduction velocity, creating the PR interval delay?

    Answer: Atrioventricular node

    The AV node conducts at only 0.02–0.05 m/s, the slowest of any conduction tissue, creating a physiological delay that allows atrial emptying before ventricular contraction.

  4. The term 'preload' in cardiac physiology is best equated with:

    Answer: Left ventricular end-diastolic volume or pressure

    Preload represents the degree of ventricular stretch at end-diastole, clinically approximated by end-diastolic volume (EDV) or filling pressure (EDP).

  5. Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between the parietal and visceral pericardium?

    Answer: The pericardial cavity lies between the visceral and parietal layers

    The pericardial cavity, containing 15–50 mL of serous fluid, is located between the inner visceral layer (epicardium) and the outer parietal pericardium.

  6. Ventricular compliance refers to:

    Answer: The ventricle's ability to change volume in response to a change in pressure

    Compliance (ΔV/ΔP) describes how easily the ventricle distends; a stiff (non-compliant) ventricle requires higher filling pressures to achieve the same end-diastolic volume.

  7. The Thebesian veins drain directly into which cardiac structures?

    Answer: All four cardiac chambers

    Thebesian veins (venae cordis minimae) are small veins in the walls of all four chambers that drain a small amount of myocardial venous blood directly into the cardiac chambers.