Test you basic knowledge of the cardiovascular system with these multiple choice questions. Lots of background explanations and additional information is discussed. MCQ Questions on the Cardiovascular System. Download e copies of my text books from campbellteaching.co.uk



1. Which of the following blood vessels contains deoxygenated blood?
a. pulmonary vein
b. pulmonary artery
c. aorta
d. carotid artery

2. The coronary arteries supply blood to the;
a. left side of the body
b. right atrium
c. left atrium
d. myocardium

3. The site of gaseous exchange between the blood and tissues is the;
a. arterioles
b. venules
c. systemic capillaries
d. pulmonary capillaries
e. lungs

4. The electrical activity for the contraction of the heart is initiated by the;
a. sinoatrial node
b. atrioventircular node
c. medulla oblongata
d. myocytes
e. motor cortex in the brain

5. The function of the mitral valve is to prevent reflux of blood from the;
a. right ventricle into the right atrium
b. right atrium into the right ventricle
c. left ventricle into the left atrium
d. left atrium into the left ventricle

6. The endocardium is composed of
a. tough fibrous tissue
b. cardiac muscle
c. smooth, squamous endothelial cells
d. ciliated, cuboidal epithelial cells

7. An artery can be defined as a blood vessel which carries;
a. oxygenated blood
b. deoxygenated blood
c. blood towards the heart
d. away from the heart

8. A vein can be defined as a blood vessel which carries;
a. oxygenated blood
b. deoxygenated blood
c. blood towards the heart
d. away from the heart

9. Which layer of the heart is composed of tough fibrous tissue?
a. the endocardium
b. the myocardium
c. the epicardium
d. the pericardium

10. Which layer of the heart is composed of cardiac mucscle?
a. the endocardium
b. the myocardium
c. the epicardium
d. the pericardium

11. Which layer of the heart is composed of squamous endothelium?
a. the endocardium
b. the myocardium
c. the epicardium
d. the pericardium

12. Which chamber of the heart pumps blood into the pulmonary artery?
a. the left atrium
b. the right atrium
c. the left ventricle
d. the right ventricle

13. Which chamber of the heart pumps blood into the systemic circulation?
a. the left atrium
b. the right atrium
c. the left ventricle
d. the right ventricle

14. Which chamber of the heart receives blood from the inferior and superior vena cava?
a. the left atrium
b. the right atrium
c. the left ventricle
d. the right ventricle

15. Which chamber of the heart receives blood from the pulmonary circulation?
a. the left atrium
b. the right atrium
c. the left ventricle
d. the right ventricle

16. The normal sinus rhythm is electrically generated by;
a. the sinoatrial node
b. the atrioventricular node
c. the atrioventricular bundle
d. the Purkinje fibres

17. A normal sinus ECG trace always has;
a. a P wave after the QRS complex
b. a P wave before the QRS complex
c. a 0.3 second gap between the P wave and the QRS complex
d. a 0.05 second gap after the T wave before the next P wave

18. Which of the following statements is true of a systemic capillary?
a. tissue fluid is formed at the venous end of the capillary
b. tissue fluid is formed at the arterial end of the capillary
c. tissue fluid is formed equally all along the length of a capillary
d. no tissue fluid is formed from systemic capillaries

19. Which of the following statements is true about lymphatic capillaries?
a. they drain directly into systemic blood capillaries
b. they receive blood from systemic blood capillaries
c. they receive lymphatic fluid from larger lymphatic vessels
d. they are blind ended and drain lymphatic fluid from the tissues

20. The average volume of whole blood is a 70Kg adult will be about
a. 3 litres
b. 5 litres
c. 7 litres
d. 9 litres

21. In which of the following vessels will blood pressure be the highest?
a. the pulmonary artery
b. the aorta
c. the pulmonary veins
d. the inferior vena cava