MCAT - Organ Systems:: Cardiovascular System Flashcards (50 Cards) — Study Online

Curriculum Overview

Comprehensive, high-yield MCAT study deck focusing on Cardiovascular System. Features 50 rigorous, curriculum-aligned flashcards designed for advanced-level mastery. Core concepts covered include Cardiovascular System, key problem-solving heuristics, foundational formulas, and exam-tested application scenarios. Ideal for active recall review, spaced repetition study, and scoring in the top percentile.

Topics & Key Concepts

Have MCAT Aortic Atrial Mitral Stroke Cardiac Ejection Increase Ventricular

Sample Flashcard Questions & Answers

Showing 8 of 50 cards

Question #1 Active Recall

Which heart valve lies between the left atrium and left ventricle?

- **A)** Tricuspid valve
- **B)** Pulmonary valve
- **C)** Mitral (bicuspid) valve
- **D)** Aortic valve

Answer & Explanation:

**Answer: C)**

The mitral valve (bicuspid valve) is the left atrioventricular valve. The tricuspid valve is on the right side; the pulmonary and aortic valves are the semilunar valves guarding the outflow tracts.

Question #2 Active Recall

A patient's S1 heart sound is caused by which event?

- **A)** Closure of the mitral and tricuspid (AV) valves at the start of systole
- **B)** Closure of the aortic and pulmonary (semilunar) valves at the start of diastole
- **C)** Opening of the AV valves during rapid ventricular filling
- **D)** Turbulent flow through a stenotic aortic valve

Answer & Explanation:

**Answer: A)**

S1 ("lub") marks the onset of ventricular systole and is produced by closure of the AV valves once ventricular pressure exceeds atrial pressure. S2 ("dub") is produced by closure of the semilunar valves at the end of systole.

Question #3 Active Recall

The coronary arteries fill predominantly during which phase of the cardiac cycle, and why?

- **A)** Systole, because ventricular contraction generates the driving pressure
- **B)** Diastole, because aortic valve closure and myocardial relaxation reduce extravascular compression of the coronary vessels
- **C)** Isovolumetric contraction, because pressure peaks transiently
- **D)** Atrial systole, because the atrial kick boosts coronary flow directly

Answer & Explanation:

**Answer: B)**

During systole the contracting myocardium compresses the intramural coronary vessels (especially in the left ventricle), impeding flow. Once the aortic valve closes and the ventricle relaxes in diastole, compression is released and the pressure head from the aortic root (behind the closed aortic cusps) drives coronary perfusion.

Question #4 Active Recall

Which structure separates the right atrium and left atrium in the fetal heart, allowing right-to-left shunting?

- **A)** Ductus arteriosus
- **B)** Ductus venosus
- **C)** Interventricular septum
- **D)** Foramen ovale

Answer & Explanation:

**Answer: D)**

The foramen ovale is a flap-valve opening in the interatrial septum that allows oxygenated blood returning from the placenta to bypass the fetal lungs by shunting from the right atrium to the left atrium. It normally closes functionally at birth as left atrial pressure rises.

Question #5 Active Recall

Papillary muscles and chordae tendineae function to:

- **A)** Generate the electrical impulse that initiates ventricular contraction
- **B)** Prevent prolapse of the AV valve leaflets into the atrium during ventricular systole
- **C)** Actively pull the semilunar valves open during systole
- **D)** Anchor the pericardium to the diaphragm

Answer & Explanation:

**Answer: B)**

Papillary muscles contract during systole and, via the chordae tendineae, tether the AV valve leaflets, preventing them from everting (prolapsing) into the atria under the high ventricular pressure. Semilunar valves are passive, pressure-driven, and have no chordae.

Question #6 Active Recall

On a Wiggers diagram, the period of isovolumetric contraction occurs between which two events?

- **A)** Mitral valve closure and aortic valve opening
- **B)** Aortic valve opening and aortic valve closure
- **C)** Aortic valve closure and mitral valve opening
- **D)** Mitral valve opening and mitral valve closure

Answer & Explanation:

**Answer: A)**

Isovolumetric contraction begins when the mitral valve closes (both valves closed, ventricular pressure rising) and ends when ventricular pressure exceeds aortic pressure enough to force the aortic valve open. Ventricular volume does not change during this interval because both valves are shut.

Question #7 Active Recall

The dicrotic notch seen on the aortic pressure curve corresponds to which event?

- **A)** Opening of the aortic valve
- **B)** Peak ventricular ejection
- **C)** Closure of the aortic valve, causing a brief backflow and pressure rebound
- **D)** Opening of the mitral valve

Answer & Explanation:

**Answer: C)**

As ventricular pressure falls below aortic pressure, blood briefly flows backward toward the ventricle, snapping the aortic valve shut; this produces a small transient pressure increase (the dicrotic notch) on the descending aortic pressure trace.

Question #8 Active Recall

Which best describes the pressure-volume relationship during the rapid ventricular filling phase of diastole?

- **A)** Volume rises sharply while pressure also rises sharply and linearly
- **B)** Volume is constant while pressure falls
- **C)** Both pressure and volume fall together
- **D)** Volume rises rapidly while ventricular pressure rises only slightly, reflecting high ventricular compliance

Answer & Explanation:

**Answer: D)**

Once the mitral valve opens, blood rushes into the relaxed, compliant ventricle. Because ventricular compliance is high early in diastole, a large volume enters with only a small rise in pressure — this is the rapid filling phase, seen as a nearly flat segment on the pressure-volume loop.

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