CCS Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which layer of the heart wall contains the Purkinje fibers?
- Epicardium
- Myocardium
- Endocardium (Correct answer)
- Pericardium
Correct answer: Endocardium
Purkinje fibers are specialized conduction cells located in the subendocardial layer of the endocardium.
Question 2: The coronary sinus drains deoxygenated blood from the myocardium into which cardiac chamber?
- Right ventricle
- Left atrium
- Right atrium (Correct answer)
- Left ventricle
Correct answer: Right atrium
The coronary sinus empties venous blood from the coronary circulation directly into the right atrium.
Question 3: What is the normal range for left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP)?
- 1–5 mmHg
- 6–12 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 15–20 mmHg
- 20–25 mmHg
Correct answer: 6–12 mmHg
Normal LVEDP is approximately 6–12 mmHg, reflecting left ventricular filling pressure.
Question 4: Which valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle?
- Tricuspid valve
- Pulmonary valve
- Aortic valve
- Mitral valve (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Mitral valve
The mitral (bicuspid) valve is the atrioventricular valve on the left side of the heart.
Question 5: The 'a' wave on a jugular venous pulse (JVP) tracing corresponds to which event?
- Ventricular systole
- Atrial contraction (Correct answer)
- Tricuspid valve closure
- Ventricular filling
Correct answer: Atrial contraction
The 'a' wave reflects the rise in atrial pressure caused by atrial contraction at end-diastole.
Question 6: Which structure carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium?
- Pulmonary arteries
- Pulmonary veins (Correct answer)
- Superior vena cava
- Bronchial arteries
Correct answer: Pulmonary veins
Pulmonary veins are the only veins in the body that carry oxygenated blood, returning it from the lungs to the left atrium.
Question 7: Starling's law of the heart states that stroke volume increases in response to increased:
- Afterload
- Heart rate
- Preload (end-diastolic volume) (Correct answer)
- Sympathetic tone only
Correct answer: Preload (end-diastolic volume)
Frank-Starling's law describes the intrinsic ability of the heart to increase stroke volume in response to greater ventricular filling (preload).
CCS Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology 2
Which layer of the heart wall contains the Purkinje fibers?