Terminology + Vascular System
A 24-year-old man is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision. A CT scan is obtained in a plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.
Which plane was used?
A. Median plane
B. Sagittal plane
C. Coronal (frontal) plane
D. Transverse plane
E. Oblique plane
C. Coronal (frontal) plane.
Why? A frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.
A 62-year-old man presents to the emergency department after a stab wound to the chest. Ultrasound demonstrates rapid accumulation of fluid surrounding the heart. The physician explains that the fluid is collecting within a potential space between two layers of serous membrane.
Which space is most likely accumulating fluid?
A. Pleural cavity
B. Mediastinum
C. Pericardial cavity
D. Coronary sinus
E. Right atrium
C. Pericardial cavity
Why?
The pericardial cavity is the potential space between the parietal and visceral layers of the serous pericardium. Fluid accumulation here can compress the heart and produce cardiac tamponade.
Which of the following best describes a simple squamous epithelium
A. Multiple layers of cube-shaped cells with central nuclei
B. Single layer of flat cells lining body surfaces and cavities
C. Multiple layers of flat, anucleate surface cells
D. Single layer of tall cells with nuclei at different heights
B
Justification: Simple squamous epithelium is a single layer of flattened cells that lines vessels and closed body cavities. (A) describes stratified cuboidal. (C) describes stratified squamous keratinized. (D) fits pseudostratified columnar with nuclei at different levels.
Which connective tissue cell type is fully differentiated, metabolically active, synthesizes and stores triglycerides, and has receptors for insulin and other hormones?
A. Fibroblast
B. Adipocyte
C. Mast cell
D. Plasma cell
A large cell with a prominent nucleus and multiple dendrites is identified in gray matter of the cerebrum. Which function best correlates with this cell type?
A. Forms myelin sheaths around axons in the CNS
B. Receives, integrates, and conducts impulses to other cells
C. Regulates ionic environment and forms glial scars
D. Acts as a debris‑clearing scavenger
B
Explanation: Gray matter contains abundant neuronal cell bodies and dendrites; they are neurons that are excitable cells that receive, integrate, and transmit impulses. Oligodendrocytes form CNS myelin, astrocytes regulate ionic environment and form glial scars, and microglia are debris‑clearing macrophage‑family cells
A patient undergoes surgical removal of a thyroid nodule. During the procedure, the surgeon notes that the trachea is located posterior to the incision site.
Which statement is most accurate?
A. The trachea is inferior to the incision site
B. The trachea is superficial to the incision site
C. The trachea is anterior to the incision site
D. The trachea is deeper than the incision site
E. The trachea is proximal to the incision site
D. The trachea is deeper than the incision site.
Why? The incision begins at the skin surface. Structures located beneath the skin are deeper.
A patient develops a thrombotic occlusion of the anterior interventricular artery. This vessel is a branch of which artery?
A. Right coronary artery
B. Circumflex artery
C. Left coronary artery
D. Marginal artery
E. Posterior interventricular artery
C. Left coronary artery
Why?
The anterior interventricular artery is a major branch of the left coronary artery.
The epithelium lining blood vessels is classified as:
A. Mesothelium
B. Endothelium
C. Endocardium
D. Transitional epithelium
B
Justification: Simple squamous epithelium in blood vessels is termed “endothelium,” while “mesothelium” lines closed body cavities and “endocardium” lines the heart. Transitional epithelium is specialized for stretching in the urinary tract.
Which transient resident cell type shown in the slides is derived from monocytes and participates in defense within connective tissue?
A. Fibroblast
B. Adipocyte
C. Macrophage
D. Mast cell
C
Q2. A myelinated axon in the CNS is cut in a cross‑section. Which supportive cell is most
responsible for the concentric myelin sheaths around this structure?
A. Schwann cell
B. Oligodendrocyte
C. Astrocyte
D. Microglial cell
B
Explanation: Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around axons in the CNS, whereas Schwann cells perform this role in the PNS. Astrocytes regulate the environment and microglia act as scavengers, not primary myelin formers.
A 68-year-old man presents with severe shortness of breath. Echocardiography shows blood flowing from the right ventricle into the pulmonary trunk.
Which statement about the pulmonary trunk is most accurate?
A. It is a vein because it carries deoxygenated blood
B. It is an artery because it carries blood away from the heart
C. It is a vein because it carries blood toward the lungs
D. It is a capillary because gas exchange occurs within it
E. It is part of the portal circulation
B. It is an artery because it carries blood away from the heart
Why? Arteries are defined by the direction of blood flow relative to the heart, not by oxygen content. Blood in the pulmonary trunk is deoxygenated, but it still travels away from the heart, making it an artery.
A cardiologist identifies a prominent ridge separating the smooth and rough portions of the right atrium.
Which structure is being observed?
A. Fossa ovalis
B. Trabeculae carneae
C. Crista terminalis
D. Coronary sinus
E. Chordae tendineae
C. Crista terminalis
Why?
The crista terminalis separates the sinus venarum from the pectinate muscle region.
Which apical specialization is primarily associated with increased absorptive surface area?
A. Cilia
B. Microvilli
C. Stereocilia
D. Hemidesmosomes
B
Justification: Microvilli are affiliated with the function of absorption, emphasizing their role in increasing surface area. Cilia are for motility, stereocilia for sensory/absorption, and hemidesmosomes are basal anchoring structures
Which ECM component is correctly matched with its function?
A. Type I collagen – resistance to pressure
B. Type II collagen – resistance to tension
C. Type III collagen – structural maintenance in expansible organs
D. Type IV collagen – resistance to unidirectional force in tendons
C
Justification: The collagen roster slide states:
Type I – resistance to tension (skin, tendon, bone),
Type II – resistance to pressure (cartilage),
Type III – structural maintenance in expansible organs (reticular fibers),
Type IV – makes up basal lamina
*MNEMONIC - “SCAB” Skin, Cartilage, Aorta, Basal Lamina *
A small bare region between adjacent myelin segments on a peripheral nerve axon is identified. Which functional consequence is most directly linked to this structure?
*show slide
A. Continuous conduction due to uniform Na⁺ channel distribution
B. Saltatory conduction with Na⁺ channel enrichment at these gaps
C. Increased leakage of current due to lack of insulation
D. Production of myelin by Schwann cells
B
Explanation: The nodes of Ranvier are “small bare areas of axon between
myelin sheaths” where the axonal membrane is enriched in Na⁺ channels; depolarization at
one node rapidly spreads beneath the myelin to the next, and current leakage is minimized by
myelin insulation
A patient develops gradual occlusion of a coronary artery over several years. Despite significant narrowing, he experiences minimal symptoms because alternative vessels enlarge and continue supplying blood to the affected myocardium.
Which concept best explains this finding?
A. Portal circulation
B. Venae comitantes
C. Collateral circulation
D. Venous return
E. Capillary filtration
C. Collateral circulation
Why? Collateral circulation refers to alternative pathways of blood flow that can compensate when a primary vessel becomes narrowed or obstructed.
A physician auscultates a patient's chest and hears the "lubb" component of the cardiac cycle.
Which event produced this sound?
A. Closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves
B. Opening of the mitral valve
C. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
D. Opening of the pulmonary valve
E. Closure of the coronary sinus
C. Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves
Why?
S1 ("lubb") is produced by closure of the atrioventricular valves at the beginning of ventricular systole.
The blistering disease case in the lecture involves an autoimmune attack causing
separation between epidermis and dermis by disrupting anchoring of basal epithelial cells to connective tissue. Which structure is the primary target?
A. Desmosomes
B. Gap junctions
C. Hemidesmosomes
D. Tight junctions
C
Justification: Hemidesmosomes are the anchoring structures connecting basal keratinocytes to the underlying basement membrane via integrins; disruption causes separation between epidermis and dermis
The following slides show a structure that is present between chambers of the heart. These structures are formed primarily by which of the following?
*show slide
A. Tunica adventitia
B. Tunica media
C. Tunica intima
D. Endocardium
E. Subendocardium
D
Explanation: The valves between heart chambers are made of the endocardium, which is composed of endothelium and a core of dense irregular connective tissue containing collagen and elastic fibers. A through C refer to layers of blood vessels, not the heart. While the subendocardium is present within the valves, it does not comprise its entire structure.
A histologic section shows bundles of long, multinucleated, cross‑striated fibers under voluntary control. Which structural organization best supports this description?
A. Single fusiform cells lacking striations and linked by gap junctions
B. Elongated branched cells with involuntary rhythmic contractions
C. Bundles of long multinucleated cells with cross‑striations
D. Short cells with intercalated discs but no striations
C
Explanation: Skeletal muscles are “bundles of long, multinucleated cells with cross‑striations” producing quick, forceful contractions usually under voluntary control. Smooth muscle has fusiform, non‑striated cells; cardiac muscle has striated, branched cells with intercalated discs
patient with portal hypertension develops severe esophageal varices.
Which portal vessel is directly implicated in this complication?
A. Superior vena cava
B. Inferior vena cava
C. Left gastric vein
D. Femoral vein
E. Subclavian vein
C. Left gastric vein
Why? The handout specifically identifies the left gastric vein as a portal tributary involved in esophageal varices.
The moderator band is clinically important because it:
A. Prevents ventricular rupture
B. Anchors papillary muscles only
C. Carries part of the conduction system
D. Separates atria from ventricles
E. Regulates valve opening
C
It contains conduction pathway fibers
Which junction is described as involving cadherin proteins binding keratin intermediate filaments?
A. Gap junction
B. Desmosome (macula adherens)
C. Tight junction
D. Focal adhesion
B
Justification: Macula adherens are also called Desmosomes – The Spot Welds – cadherin proteins binding keratin. Tight junctions are sealants, gap junctions are communication channels, and focal adhesions bind actin at the basal domain. Extra - hemidesmosomes - integrins binding intermediate filaments
During a histology practical, a student observes the following cardiac tissue section. Damage to the cells indicated by the white arrows would lead to what pathological issue?
*show slide
A. Rapid electrical conduction through the ventricular wall
B. Weaker mechanical contraction of the heart
C. Slowed electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles
D. Defective atrial depolarization
E. Slowed electrical conduction through the ventricular wall
E
Explanation: The arrows point to purkinje fibers, which are specialized branches of the Bundle of His that spread rapid electrical impulses through the ventricles. Damage to these fibers would lead to slowed conduction in the ventricle. Purkinje fibers are not involved in the mechanical contraction or contractile force of the heart. Atrial depolarization is initiated by nodal cells of the sinoatrial (SA) node. Electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles is coordinated by nodal cells of the atrioventricular (AV) node.
A smooth muscle layer in the uterus increases in thickness during pregnancy primarily by increasing cell number. Which process described in the outline is most responsible for this growth?
A. Hypertrophy of existing fibers
B. Hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells
C. Increased sarcolemma folding
D. Increased myelin deposition
B
Explanation: Hyperplasia = tissue growth by an increase in the number of cells and notes that this is best exemplified by smooth muscle. Hypertrophy describes increased cell volume and myofibril content - characteristic of skeletal muscle; myelin is a nervous tissue feature.