Anatomy of the Heart and Major Vessels

Question 1

The left ventricle forms most of the anterior surface of the heart T/F

Answer 1

False. The left ventricle only contributes a narrow strip to the anterior surface of the heart. The right ventricle forms the greater part.

Question 2

The atria form the posterior surface of the heart T/F

Answer 2

False. The posterior surface of the heart is formed by the left atrium and the pulmonary veins.

Question 3

The right ventricle forms the inferior border of the heart

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The left-sided hilar vessels are lower than the right T/F

Answer 4

False. The left-sided hilar vessels are higher than the right as the left main pulmonary artery passes over the left main bronchus, whilst the right main pulmonary artery passes in front of the right main bronchus.

Question 5

The right heart border is formed by the right atrium and the caval vessels T/F

Answer 5

True

Question 6

The left coronary artery arises from the left posterior aortic sinus T/F

Answer 6

True

Question 7

Complete heart block is usual following an acute anterior myocardial infarction T/F

Answer 7

False. The A-V node is supplied by the right coronary artery in 80% of people. Complete heart block is more common after an inferior myocardial infarction, which is associated with right coronary artery disease.

Question 8

The blood supply to the ventricular septum is mainly from the right coronary artery T/F

Answer 8

False. The anterior two thirds of the ventricular septum is supplied by the left anterior descending coronary artery, a branch of the left coronary artery.

Question 9

The left anterior descending artery supplies most of the anterior ventricular wall T/F

Answer 9

True

Question 10

Most of the venous drainage from the heart is via the coronary sinus T/F

Answer 10

True

Question 11

The left and right ventricular chambers are symmetrical T/F

Answer 11

False. They are asymmetrical.

Question 12

The left ventricle is crescentic in shape T/F

Answer 12

False. The right ventricle is crescentic in shape.

Question 13

The left ventricular wall thickness is twice that of the right T/F

Answer 13

False. The left ventricle wall thickness is three to four times thicker than that of the right.

Question 14

The left ventricular septum bulges into the right ventricular cavity T/F

Answer 14

True

Question 15

The anterior mitral valve leaflet is smaller than the posterior and is attached to the free wall of the ventricle T/F

Answer 15

False. The anterior mitral valve leaflet is larger than the posterior and has a common attachment with the non-coronary cusp of the aortic valve.

Question 16

The IJV is always lateral to the common carotid artery T/F

Answer 16

False. The IJV is lateral to the common carotid artery in 85% of patients.

Question 17

The IJV is directly related to the vagus nerve T/F

Answer 17

True. The IJV lies within the carotid sheath with the common carotid artery and the vagus nerve.

Question 18

The IJV passes deep to the scalenus anterior T/F

Answer 18

False. The IJV passes deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck, anterior to the anterior scalenus muscle.

Question 19

The IJV is directly related to the phrenic nerve T/F

Answer 19

True. The IJV passes anterior to the phrenic nerve as it crosses the scalenus anterior muscle.

Question 20

The thoracic duct drains to the left IJV T/F

Answer 20

False. The thoracic duct drains to the left subclavian vein.

Question 21

The dome of the pleura is closely related to the IJV T/F

Answer 21

True. The IJV is closely related to the dome of the pleura, where it joins the subclavian vein to form the brachiocephalic vein

Question 22

The brachial artery is deep to the bicipital aponeurosis T/F

Answer 22

True

Question 23

The median cubital vein communicates between the basilic and the cephalic veins T/F

Answer 23

True

Question 24

The cephalic vein is the vessel of choice for insertion of a PICC line T/F

Answer 24

False. The cephalic vein passes deep to the clavipectoral fascia at the shoulder. This acute angle and the presence of a valve where the cephalic vein joins the axillary vein tend to impede the passage of a PICC line.

Question 25

The artery is always deep to the bicipital apnoneurosis T/F

Answer 25

False. 2% of the population have an anomalous superficial ulnar artery that passes superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis.

Question 26

The brachial artery is easily palpable and is the vessel of choice for arterial cannulation T/F

Answer 26

False. The brachial artery is a small caliber end artery and should not be used for arterial cannulation.