CCS Medical Terminology & Anatomy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The term 'aortic regurgitation' means:
- Forward flow obstruction across the aortic valve
- Backward leakage of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle (Correct answer)
- Calcification of the aortic valve leaflets
- Dilation of the aortic root without valve involvement
Correct answer: Backward leakage of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle
Aortic regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close completely, allowing diastolic backflow into the left ventricle.
Question 2: The chordae tendineae are fibrous cords that connect:
- The aortic valve leaflets to the aortic wall
- The papillary muscles to the AV valve leaflets (Correct answer)
- The sinoatrial node to the AV node
- The ventricular septum to the right atrial wall
Correct answer: The papillary muscles to the AV valve leaflets
Chordae tendineae attach the papillary muscles to the leaflets of the mitral and tricuspid valves, preventing prolapse.
Question 3: The prefix 'peri-' in 'pericardium' means:
- Within
- Around or surrounding (Correct answer)
- Below
- Above
Correct answer: Around or surrounding
The pericardium is the sac that surrounds and protects the heart, with 'peri-' meaning around.
Question 4: What is the anatomical name for the 'pacemaker' of the heart?
- Atrioventricular (AV) node
- Bundle of His
- Sinoatrial (SA) node (Correct answer)
- Purkinje fibers
Correct answer: Sinoatrial (SA) node
The sinoatrial node, located in the right atrium, spontaneously depolarizes at the highest rate and initiates the normal cardiac impulse.
Question 5: The term 'cardiomegaly' refers to:
- Decreased heart rate
- Enlargement of the heart (Correct answer)
- Inflammation of the heart muscle
- Hardening of the coronary arteries
Correct answer: Enlargement of the heart
Cardiomegaly means abnormal enlargement of the heart, detectable on chest X-ray or imaging.
Question 6: The pulmonary veins carry blood that is:
- Deoxygenated, from the lungs to the right atrium
- Oxygenated, from the lungs to the left atrium (Correct answer)
- Deoxygenated, from the right ventricle to the lungs
- Oxygenated, from the left ventricle to the body
Correct answer: Oxygenated, from the lungs to the left atrium
The four pulmonary veins are unique among veins in carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium.
Question 7: In cardiovascular anatomy, the term 'semilunar' describes:
- The crescent-shaped leaflets of the aortic and pulmonary valves (Correct answer)
- The two leaflets of the mitral valve
- The triangular shape of the tricuspid valve
- The oval foramen in the atrial septum
Correct answer: The crescent-shaped leaflets of the aortic and pulmonary valves
The aortic and pulmonary valves are called semilunar valves because their three cusps have a half-moon (semilunar) shape.
CCS Medical Terminology & Anatomy 3
The term 'aortic regurgitation' means: