Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards

Which layer of the heart wall is responsible for the contractile function of the heart?

Answer: Myocardium

The myocardium is the middle muscular layer of the heart wall composed of cardiac muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) that are responsible for generating the force needed to pump blood.

What is the primary function of the tricuspid valve?

Answer: Prevent backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium during systole

The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and right ventricle. It opens during diastole to allow blood to flow into the right ventricle and closes during systole to prevent backflow.

The sinoatrial (SA) node is located in which cardiac structure?

Answer: Right atrium, near the superior vena cava junction

The SA node is located in the posterior wall of the right atrium, near the junction with the superior vena cava, at the sulcus terminalis.

Which coronary artery primarily supplies the left ventricle's anterior wall and interventricular septum?

Answer: Left anterior descending (LAD) artery

The left anterior descending artery travels in the anterior interventricular groove and is the primary blood supply to the anterior wall of the left ventricle and the anterior two-thirds of the interventricular septum.

During the cardiac cycle, what occurs during ventricular diastole?

Answer: The ventricles relax and fill with blood from the atria

Diastole is the relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle. During ventricular diastole, the myocardium relaxes, ventricular pressure falls, the AV valves open, and the ventricles fill with blood.

What is the normal range for cardiac output at rest in a healthy adult?

Answer: 4 to 8 liters per minute

Normal resting cardiac output in a healthy adult is approximately 4-8 liters per minute, calculated as heart rate multiplied by stroke volume (CO = HR × SV).