Block 3 Anat Thorax

Reviewed by Editorial Team
The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Chachelly
C
Chachelly
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 513 | Total Attempts: 634,862
| Attempts: 259
SettingsSettings
Please wait...
  • 1/45 Questions

    A 32-year-old patient who weighed 275 pounds came to doctor's office. On the surface of the chest, a physician was able to locate the apex of the heart:

    • At the level of the sternal angle
    • In the left fourth intercostal space
    • In the left fifth intercostal space
    • In the right fifth intercostal space
    • At the level of the xiphoid process of the sternum
Please wait...
About This Quiz

The 'Block 3 Anat Thorax' quiz assesses knowledge of thoracic anatomy, focusing on clinical scenarios involving heart location, lung mechanics, nerve injuries, and cardiac vessel identification. It is tailored for medical students and professionals to hone diagnostic and anatomical understanding.

Thoracic Anatomy Quizzes & Trivia

Quiz Preview

  • 2. 

    A 47-year-old man with a known atrial fibrillation returns to see his cardiologist for follow- up of his cardiac health. The right atrium is important in this case because it:

    • Receives blood from the oblique cardiac vein

    • Is associated with the apex of the heart

    • Contains the sinoatrial node

    • Receives the right pulmonary vein

    • Is hypertrophied by pulmonary stenosis

    Correct Answer
    A. Contains the sinoatrial node
    Explanation
    The sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes are in the wall of the
    right atrium and are not associated with the apex of the heart. The oblique cardiac vein drains
    into the coronary sinus and the pulmonary veins empty into the left atrium. The right ventricle
    is hypertrophied by the pulmonary stenosis.

    Rate this question:

  • 3. 

    A 27-year-old cardiac patient with an irregular heartbeat visited her doctor's office for examination. Where should the physician place the stethoscope to listen to the sound of the mitral valve?

    • Over the medial end of the second left intercostal space

    • Over the medial end of the second right intercostal space

    • In the left fourth intercostal space at the midclavicular line

    • In the left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line

    • Over the right half of the lower end of the body of the sternum

    Correct Answer
    A. In the left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line
    Explanation
    The mitral valve (left atrioventricular [AV] valve) produces the apical beat
    (thrust) of the heart, which is most audible over the left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular
    line. The pulmonary valve is most audible over the medial end of the second left intercostals space,
    the aortic valve is most audible over the medial end of the second right intercostals space, and the
    right AV valve is most audible over the right half of the lower end of the body of the sternum.

    Rate this question:

  • 4. 

    A 54-year-old patient is implanted with an artificial cardiac pacemaker. Which of the following conductive tissues of the heart had a defective function that required the pacemaker?

    • Atrioventricular (AV) bundle

    • AV node

    • Sinoatrial (SA) node

    • Purkinje fiber

    • Moderator band

    Correct Answer
    A. Sinoatrial (SA) node
    Explanation
    The sinoatrial (SA) node initiates the impulse of contraction and is known
    as the pacemaker of the heart. Impulses from the SA node travel through the atrial myocardium
    to the atrioventricular (AV) node and then race through the AV bundle (bundle of His), which divides
    into the right and left bundle branches. The bundle breaks up into terminal conducting
    fibers (Purkinje fibers) to spread out into the ventricular walls. The moderate band carries the
    right limb of the AV bundle from the septum to the sternocostal wall of the ventricle.

    Rate this question:

  • 5. 

    A patient has a small but solid tumor in the mediastinum, which is confined at the level of the sternal angle. Which of the following structures would most likely be found at this level?

    • Bifurcation of the trachea

    • Beginning of the ascending aorta

    • Middle of the aortic arch

    • Articulation of the third rib with the sternum

    • Superior border of the superior mediastinum

    Correct Answer
    A. Bifurcation of the trachea
    Explanation
    The sternal angle is the junction of the manubrium and the body of the
    sternum. It is located at the level where the second rib articulates with the sternum, the trachea
    bifurcates into the right and left bronchi, and the aortic arch begins and ends. It marks the end
    of the ascending aorta and the beginning of the descending aorta, and it forms the inferior border
    of the superior mediastinum.

    Rate this question:

  • 6. 

    A 75-year-old woman was admitted to a local hospital, and bronchograms and radiographs revealed a lung carcinoma in her left lung. Which of the following structures are characteristics of the cancerous lung?

    • Horizontal fissure

    • Groove for superior vena cava

    • Middle lobe

    • Lingula

    • Larger capacity than the right

    Correct Answer
    A. Lingula
    Explanation
    The lingula is the tongue-shaped portion of the upper lobe of the left lung.
    The right lung has a groove for the horizontal fissure, superior vena cava, and middle lobe and
    has a larger capacity than the left lung.

    Rate this question:

  • 7. 

    A 46-year-old patient comes to his doctor's office and complains of chest pain and headache. His computed tomography (CT) scan reveals a tumor located just superior to the root of the right lung. Blood flow in which of the following veins is most likely blocked by this tumor?

    • Hemiazygos vein

    • Arch of the azygos vein

    • Right subclavian vein

    • Right brachiocephalic vein

    • Accessory hemiazygos vein

    Correct Answer
    A. Arch of the azygos vein
    Explanation
    The azygos vein arches over the root of the right lung and empties into the
    superior vena cava. Other veins do not pass over the root of the right lung.

    Rate this question:

  • 8. 

    A 27-year-old patient with Marfan's syndrome has an aneurysm of the aortic arch. This may compress which of the following structures?

    • Right vagus nerve

    • Left phrenic nerve

    • Right sympathetic trunk

    • Left recurrent laryngeal nerve

    • Left greater splanchnic nerve

    Correct Answer
    A. Left recurrent laryngeal nerve
    Explanation
    The left recurrent laryngeal nerve loops around the arch of the aorta near
    the ligamentum arteriosum, whereas the right recurrent laryngeal nerve hooks around the right
    subclavian artery. All other nerves are not closely associated with the aortic arch.

    Rate this question:

  • 9. 

    A 19-year-old man came to the emergency department and his angiogram exhibited that he was bleeding from the vein that is accompanied by the posterior interventricular artery. Which of the following veins is most likely to be ruptured?

    • Great cardiac vein

    • Middle cardiac vein

    • Anterior cardiac vein

    • Small cardiac vein

    • Oblique veins of the left atrium

    Correct Answer
    A. Middle cardiac vein
    Explanation
    The middle cardiac vein ascends in the posterior interventricular groove, accompanied
    by the posterior interventricular branch of the right coronary artery. The great cardiac
    vein is accompanied by the anterior interventricular artery, the anterior cardiac vein drains directly
    into the right atrium, and the small cardiac vein is accompanied by the marginal artery.

    Rate this question:

  • 10. 

    A thoracic surgeon removed the right middle lobar (secondary) bronchus along with lung tissue from a 57-year-old heavy smoker with lung cancer. Which of the following bronchopulmonary segments must contain cancerous tissues?

    • Medial and lateral

    • Anterior and posterior

    • Anterior basal and medial basal

    • Anterior basal and posterior basal

    • Lateral basal and posterior basal

    Correct Answer
    A. Medial and lateral
    Explanation
    The right middle lobar (secondary) bronchus leads to the medial and lateral
    bronchopulmonary segments. The right superior lobar bronchus divides into the superior,
    posterior, and anterior segmental (tertiary) bronchi. The right inferior lobar bronchus has the anterior,
    lateral, posterior, and anterior segmental bronchi.

    Rate this question:

  • 11. 

    A 57-year-old patient has a heart murmur resulting from the inability to maintain constant tension on the cusps of the atrioventricular (AV) valve. Which of the following structures is most likely damaged?

    • Crista terminalis

    • Septomarginal trabecula

    • Chordae tendineae

    • Pectinate muscle

    • Anulus fibrosus

    Correct Answer
    A. Chordae tendineae
    Explanation
    The chordae tendineae are tendinous strands that extend from the papillary
    muscles to the cusps of the valve. The papillary muscles and chordae tendineae prevent the
    cusps from being everted into the atrium during ventricular contraction.

    Rate this question:

  • 12. 

    A 43-year-old female patient has been lying down on the hospital bed for more than 4 months. Her normal, quiet expiration is achieved by contraction of which of the following structures?

    • Elastic tissue in the lungs and thoracic wall

    • Serratus posterior superior muscles

    • Pectoralis minor muscles

    • Serratus anterior muscles

    • Diaphragm

    Correct Answer
    A. Elastic tissue in the lungs and thoracic wall
    Explanation
    Normal, quiet expiration is achieved by contraction of extensible tissue in
    the lungs and the thoracic wall. The serratus posterior superior muscles, diaphragm, pectoralis
    major, and serratus anterior are muscles of inspiration.

    Rate this question:

  • 13. 

    A 12-year-old boy was admitted to a local hospital with a known history of heart problems. His left ventricular hypertrophy could result from which of the following conditions?

    • A constricted pulmonary trunk

    • An abnormally small left atrioventricular (AV) opening

    • Improper closing of the pulmonary valves

    • An abnormally large right AV opening

    • Stenosis of the aorta

    Correct Answer
    A. Stenosis of the aorta
    Explanation
    Stenosis of the aorta can cause left ventricular hypertrophy. Right ventricular
    hypertrophy may occur as a result of pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary and tricuspid valve defects,
    or mitral valve stenosis.

    Rate this question:

  • 14. 

    A 33-year-old patient is suffering from a sudden occlusion at the origin of the descending (thoracic) aorta. This condition would most likely decrease blood flow in which of the following intercostal arteries?

    • Upper six anterior

    • All of the posterior

    • Upper two posterior

    • Lower anterior

    • Lower nine posterior

    Correct Answer
    A. Lower nine posterior
    Explanation
    The first two posterior intercostal arteries are branches of the highest (superior)
    intercostal artery of the costocervical trunk; the remaining nine branches are from the
    thoracic aorta. The internal thoracic artery gives off the upper six anterior intercostal arteries and
    is divided into the superior epigastric and musculophrenic arteries, which gives off anterior intercostal
    arteries in the seventh, eighth, and ninth intercostal spaces and ends in the tenth intercostal
    space where it anastomoses with the deep circumflex iliac artery.

    Rate this question:

  • 15. 

    The attending faculty in the coronary intensive care unit (ICU) demonstrates to his students a normal heart examination. The first heart sound is produced by near-simultaneous closure of which of the following valves?

    • Aortic and tricuspid

    • Aortic and pulmonary

    • Tricuspid and mitral

    • Mitral and pulmonary

    • Tricuspid and pulmonary

    Correct Answer
    A. Tricuspid and mitral
    Explanation
    The first heart sound ("lub") is produced by the closure of the tricuspid and
    mitral valves, whereas the second heart sound ("dub") is produced by the closure of the aortic and
    pulmonary valves.

    Rate this question:

  • 16. 

    A 62-year-old patient with pericardial effusion comes to a local hospital for aspiration of pericardial fluid by pericardiocentesis. The needle is inserted into the pericardial cavity through which of the following intercostal spaces adjacent to the sternum?

    • Right fourth intercostal space

    • Left fourth intercostal space

    • Right fifth intercostal space

    • Left fifth intercostal space

    • Right sixth intercostal space

    Correct Answer
    A. Left fifth intercostal space
    Explanation
    To aspirate pericardial fluid, the needle should be inserted into the pericardial
    cavity through the fifth intercostals space just left to the sternum. Because of the cardiac
    notch, the needle misses the pleura and lungs, but it penetrates the pericardium. Lung tissues lie
    beneath the fourth and sixth intercostal spaces

    Rate this question:

  • 17. 

    Coronary angiographs of a 44-year-old male patient reveal an occlusion of the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery. This patient has been suffering from myocardial infarction in which of the following areas?

    • Right and left ventricles

    • Right and left atria

    • Interventricular septum

    • Apex of the heart

    • Left atrium and ventricle

    Correct Answer
    A. Left atrium and ventricle
    Explanation
    The left atrium and ventricle receive blood from the circumflex branch of
    the left coronary artery. The interventricular septum and the apex of the heart are supplied by the
    anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery. The right ventricle receives blood
    from the anterior interventricular artery and the marginal branch of the right coronary artery.
    The right atrium receives blood from the right coronary artery.

    Rate this question:

  • 18. 

    A 31-year-old man was involved in a severe automobile accident and suffered laceration of the left primary bronchus. The damaged primary bronchus:

    • Has a larger diameter than the right one

    • Often receives more foreign bodies than the right one

    • Gives rise to the eparterial bronchus

    • Is longer than the right primary bronchus

    • Runs under the arch of the azygos vein

    Correct Answer
    A. Is longer than the right primary bronchus
    Explanation
    The right primary bronchus is shorter than the left one and has a larger diameter.
    More foreign bodies enter it via the trachea because it is more vertical than the left primary
    bronchus. The right primary bronchus runs under the arch of the azygos vein and gives rise
    to the eparterial bronchus

    Rate this question:

  • 19. 

    A 37-year-old patient with severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and congestive heart failure was admitted to a local hospital. His coronary angiograms reveal a thrombosis in the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery. Which of the following conditions could result from the blockage of blood flow in the circumflex branch?

    • Tricuspid valve insufficiency

    • Mitral valve insufficiency

    • Ischemia of atrioventricular (AV) node

    • Paralysis of pectinate muscle

    • Necrosis of septomarginal trabecula

    Correct Answer
    A. Mitral valve insufficiency
    Explanation
    The circumflex branch of the left coronary artery supplies the left ventricle
    and thus its blockage of blood flow results in necrosis of myocardium in the left ventricle, producing
    mitral valve insufficiency. The pectinate muscles, tricuspid valve, and septomarginal trabecula
    are present in the right atrium and ventricle.

    Rate this question:

  • 20. 

    A radiologist examines posterior–anterior chest radiographs of a 27-year-old victim of a car accident. Which of the following structures forms the right border of the cardiovascular silhouette?

    • Arch of the aorta

    • Pulmonary trunk

    • Superior vena cava

    • Ascending aorta

    • Left ventricle

    Correct Answer
    A. Superior vena cava
    Explanation
    A cardiovascular silhouette or cardiac shadow is the contour of the heart
    and great vessels seen on posterior-anterior chest radiographs. Its right border is formed by the
    superior vena cava, right atrium, and inferior vena cava; its left border is formed by the aortic arch
    (aortic knob), pulmonary trunk, left auricle, and left ventricle. The ascending aorta becomes the
    arch of the aorta and is found in the middle of the heart.

    Rate this question:

  • 21. 

    A 37-year-old patient with palpitation was examined by her physician, and one of the diagnostic records included a posterior-anterior chest x-ray film. Which of the following comprise the largest portion of the sternocostal surface of the heart seen on the radiograph?

    • Left atrium

    • Right atrium

    • Left ventricle

    • Right ventricle

    • Base of the heart

    Correct Answer
    A. Right ventricle
    Explanation
    The right ventricle forms a large part of the sternocostal surface of the heart.
    The left atrium occupies almost the entire posterior surface of the right atrium. The right atrium occupies
    the right aspect of the heart. The left ventricle lies at the back of the heart and bulges roundly
    to the left. The base of the heart is formed by the atria, which lie mainly behind the ventricles.

    Rate this question:

  • 22. 

    An 83-year-old man with a typical coronary circulation has been suffering from an embolism of the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery. This condition would result in ischemia of which of the following areas of the heart?

    • Anterior part of the left ventricle

    • Anterior interventricular region

    • Posterior interventricular region

    • Posterior part of the left ventricle

    • Anterior part of the right ventricle

    Correct Answer
    A. Posterior part of the left ventricle
    Explanation
    The circumflex branch of the left coronary artery supplies the posterior portion
    of the left ventricle. The anterior interventricular artery supplies the anterior aspects of the
    right and left ventricles and the anterior interventricular septum.

    Rate this question:

  • 23. 

    A surgical resident inadvertently ligates the phrenic nerve instead of the accompanying artery descending between the mediastinal pleura and the pericardium without causing any particular harm. Which of the following arteries did he intend to ligate?

    • Internal thoracic

    • Musculophrenic

    • Pericardiacophrenic

    • Right coronary artery

    • Superior (supreme) thoracic

    Correct Answer
    A. Pericardiacophrenic
    Explanation
    The phrenic nerve is accompanied by the pericardiacophrenic vessels of the
    internal thoracic vessels and descends between the mediastinal pleura and the pericardium to
    supply the pericardium, the mediastinal and diaphragmatic pleura, and the diaphragm. The internal
    thoracic artery descends directly behind the first six costal cartilages, just lateral to the sternum.
    The musculophrenic artery follows the costal arch on the inner surface of the costal cartilages.
    The right coronary artery runs between the right auricle and the pulmonary trunk and then
    descends in the coronary sulcus between the right atrium and ventricle. The superior thoracic artery
    arises from the axillary artery and supplies the anterior first two intercostals space.

    Rate this question:

  • 24. 

    The bronchogram of a 45-year-old female smoker shows the presence of a tumor in the eparterial bronchus. Which airway is most likely blocked?

    • Left superior bronchus

    • Left inferior bronchus

    • Right superior bronchus

    • Right middle bronchus

    • Right inferior bronchus

    Correct Answer
    A. Right superior bronchus
    Explanation
    The eparterial bronchus is the right superior lobar (secondary) bronchus;
    all of the other bronchi are hyparterial bronchi

    Rate this question:

  • 25. 

    A thoracentesis is performed to aspirate an abnormal accumulation of fluid in a 37-yearold patient with pleural effusion. A needle should be inserted at the midaxillary line between which of the following two ribs so as to avoid puncturing the lung?

    • Ribs 2 and 4

    • Ribs 4 and 6

    • Ribs 6 and 8

    • Ribs 8 and 10

    • Ribs 10 and 12

    Correct Answer
    A. Ribs 8 and 10
    Explanation
    A thoracentesis is performed for aspiration of fluid in the pleural cavity at or
    posterior to the midaxillary line one or two intercostal spaces below the fluid level but not below the
    ninth intercostal space, therefore between ribs 8 and 10. Other intercostals spaces are not preferred.

    Rate this question:

  • 26. 

    A 32-year-old patient has a tension pneumothorax that can be treated with needle aspiration. To avoid an injury of the intercostal neurovascular bundle, the needle may be inserted in which of the following locations?

    • Above the upper border of the ribs

    • Deep to the upper border of the ribs

    • Beneath the lower border of the ribs

    • Between the external and internal intercostals

    • Through the transversus thoracis muscle

    Correct Answer
    A. Above the upper border of the ribs
    Explanation
    The intercostal veins, arteries, and nerves run in the costal groove beneath
    the inferior border of the ribs between the internal and innermost layers of muscles. The transversus
    thoracis muscles are situated in the internal surface of the lower anterior thoracic wall.

    Rate this question:

  • 27. 

    An 8-year-old boy with atrial septal defect presents to a pediatrician. This congenital heart defect shunts blood from the left atrium to the right atrium and causes hypertrophy of the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary trunk. Which of the following veins opens into the hypertrophied atrium?

    • Middle cardiac vein

    • Small cardiac vein

    • Oblique cardiac vein

    • Anterior cardiac vein

    • Right pulmonary vein

    Correct Answer
    A. Anterior cardiac vein
    Explanation
    The anterior cardiac vein drains into the right atrium. The middle, small,
    and oblique cardiac veins drain into the coronary sinus. The right and left pulmonary veins drain
    into the left atrium.

    Rate this question:

  • 28. 

    A 75-year-old patient has been suffering from lung cancer located near the cardiac notch, a deep indentation on the lung. Which of the following lobes is most likely to be excised?

    • Superior lobe of the right lung

    • Middle lobe of the right lung

    • Inferior lobe of the right lung

    • Superior lobe of the left lung

    • Inferior lobe of the left lung

    Correct Answer
    A. Superior lobe of the left lung
    Explanation
    The cardiac notch is a deep indentation of the anterior border of the superior
    lobe of the left lung. Therefore, the right lung is not involved.

    Rate this question:

  • 29. 

    A 56-year-old patient recently suffered a myocardial infarction in the area of the apex of the heart. The occlusion by atherosclerosis is in which of the following arteries?

    • Marginal artery

    • Right coronary artery at its origin

    • Anterior interventricular artery

    • Posterior interventricular artery

    • Circumflex branch of the left coronary artery

    Correct Answer
    A. Anterior interventricular artery
    Explanation
    The apex of the heart typically receives blood from the anterior interventricular
    branch of the left coronary artery. The marginal artery supplies the right inferior margin
    of the right ventricle, the right coronary artery at its origin supplies the right atrium and ventricle,
    and the posterior interventricular artery and a circumflex branch of the left coronary artery
    supply the left ventricle.

    Rate this question:

  • 30. 

    A cardiologist is on clinical rounds with her medical students. She asks them, "During the cardiac cycle, which of the following events occurs?"

    • Atrioventricular (AV) valves close during diastole

    • Aortic valve closes during systole

    • Pulmonary valve opens during diastole

    • Blood flow in coronary arteries is maximal during diastole

    • Aortic valve closes at the same time as AV valve

    Correct Answer
    A. Blood flow in coronary arteries is maximal during diastole
    Explanation
    During diastole the atrioventricular (AV) valves open and the aortic and
    pulmonary valves close, whereas during systole the AV valves close and the aortic and pulmonary
    valves open.

    Rate this question:

  • 31. 

    A 6-year-old boy with tetralogy of Fallot shows the pulmonary stenosis and the right ventricular hypertrophy in addition to other symptoms. Which of the following structures is likely found in the hypertrophied heart chamber?

    • Sinus venarum

    • Crista terminalis

    • Pectinate muscles

    • Septomarginal trabecula

    • Valve of the coronary sinus

    Correct Answer
    A. Septomarginal trabecula
    Explanation
    The right ventricle contains the septomarginal trabecula, which forms a
    bridge between the interventricular septum and the base of the anterior papillary muscle. The sinus
    venarum, crista terminalis, pectinate muscles, and valve of the coronary sinus are found in
    the right atrium.

    Rate this question:

  • 32. 

    A pulmonary fellow at a university hospital is asked to consult on a patient in respiratory failure. When the diaphragm contracts, which of the following conditions should normally occur?

    • Decreased thoracic volume

    • Increased abdominal volume

    • Increased lung volume

    • Air flow out of the bronchi

    • Increased thoracic pressure

    Correct Answer
    A. Increased lung volume
    Explanation
    During inspiration the diaphragm contracts, increasing the vertical diameter
    of the thorax and hence increasing lung volume, thoracic volume, and air flow into the
    bronchi, and decreasing intrathoracic and intrapulmonary pressures and abdominal volume.

    Rate this question:

  • 33. 

    A 7-year-old boy has a damaged interventricular septum. Which of the following valves is most likely defective?

    • Pulmonary valve

    • Mitral valve

    • Valve of coronary sinus

    • Tricuspid valve

    • Aortic valve

    Correct Answer
    A. Tricuspid valve
    Explanation
    The septal cusp of the tricuspid valve is attached by a cordae tendineae to
    the septal papillary muscle, which arises from the interventricular septum. Other valves are not
    associated with the interventricular (IV) septum.

    Rate this question:

  • 34. 

    A 44-year-old man with a stab wound was brought to the emergency department and a physician found that the patient was suffering from a laceration of his right phrenic nerve. Which of the following conditions has likely occurred?

    • Injury to only general somatic efferent fibers

    • Difficulty in expiration

    • Loss of sensation in the pericardium and mediastinal pleura

    • Normal function of the diaphragm

    • Loss of sensation in the costal part of the diaphragm

    Correct Answer
    A. Loss of sensation in the pericardium and mediastinal pleura
    Explanation
    The phrenic nerve supplies the pericardium and mediastinal and diaphragmatic
    (central part) pleura and the diaphragm, an important muscle of inspiration. It contains
    general somatic efferent (GSE), general somatic afferent (GSA), and general visceral efferent
    (GVE) (postganglionic sympathetic) fibers. The costal part of the diaphragm receives GSA fibers
    from the intercostal nerves.

    Rate this question:

  • 35. 

    An 18-year-old girl is thrust into the steering wheel while driving. Which of the following muscles is most likely damaged?

    • Levator costarum

    • Innermost intercostal muscle

    • External intercostal muscle

    • Diaphragm

    • Muscles of the abdominal wall

    Correct Answer
    A. Muscles of the abdominal wall
    Explanation
    The abdominal muscles are the major muscles of expiration, whereas the
    other distractors are muscles of inspiration

    Rate this question:

  • 36. 

    A 45-year-old woman presents with a tumor confined to the posterior mediastinum. This could result in compression of which of the following structures?

    • Trachea

    • Descending aorta

    • Arch of the aorta

    • Arch of the azygos vein

    • Phrenic nerve

    Correct Answer
    A. Descending aorta
    Explanation
    The descending aorta is found in both the superior and posterior mediastina.
    The superior mediastinum contains the trachea and arch of the aorta, and the middle mediastinum
    contains the ascending aorta, arch of the azygos vein, and main bronchi. The phrenic
    nerve runs in the middle mediastinum.

    Rate this question:

  • 37. 

    A 17-year-old boy was involved in gang fighting and a stab wound severed the white rami communicantes at the level of his sixth thoracic vertebra. This injury would_result in degeneration of nerve cell bodies in which of the following structures?

    • Dorsal root ganglion and anterior horn of the spinal cord

    • Sympathetic chain ganglion and dorsal root ganglion

    • Sympathetic chain ganglion and posterior horn of the spinal cord

    • Dorsal root ganglion and lateral horn of the spinal cord

    • Anterior and lateral horns of the spinal cord

    Correct Answer
    A. Dorsal root ganglion and lateral horn of the spinal cord
    Explanation
    The white rami communicantes contain preganglionic sympathetic general visceral
    efferent (GVE) fibers and general visceral afferent (GVA) fibers whose cell bodies are located in
    the lateral horn of the spinal cord and the dorsal root ganglia. The sympathetic chain ganglion contains
    cell bodies of the postganglionic sympathetic nerve fibers. Anterior horn of the spinal cord contains
    cell bodies of the GSE fibers. The dorsal root ganglion contains cell bodies of GSA and GVA fibers.

    Rate this question:

  • 38. 

    A 78-year-old patient presents with an advanced cancer in the posterior mediastinum. The surgeons are in a dilemma as to how to manage the condition. Which of the following structures is most likely damaged?

    • Brachiocephalic veins

    • Trachea

    • Arch of the azygos vein

    • Arch of the aorta

    • Hemiazygos vein

    Correct Answer
    A. Hemiazygos vein
    Explanation
    The hemiazygos vein is located in the posterior mediastinum. The brachiocephalic
    veins, trachea, and arch of the aorta are located in the superior mediastinum, whereas
    the arch of the azygos vein is found in the middle mediastinum.

    Rate this question:

  • 39. 

    A 23-year-old man received a gunshot wound and his greater splanchnic nerve was destroyed. Which of the following nerve fibers would be injured?

    • General somatic afferent (GSA) and preganglionic sympathetic fibers

    • General visceral afferent (GVA) and postganglionic sympathetic fibers

    • GVA and preganglionic sympathetic fibers

    • General somatic efferent (GSE) and postganglionic sympathetic fibers

    • GVA and GSE fibers

    Correct Answer
    A. GVA and preganglionic sympathetic fibers
    Explanation
    The greater splanchnic nerves contain general visceral afferent (GVA) and
    preganglionic sympathetic general visceral efferent (GVE) fibers.

    Rate this question:

  • 40. 

    A 52-year-old patient with a history of myocardial infarction exhibits a right coronary artery that is blocked by a fat globule after giving off the right marginal artery. Which of the following structures may have oxygen deficiency?

    • Right atrium

    • Sinoatrial (SA) node

    • Atrioventricular (AV) node

    • Apex of the heart

    • Anterior interventricular septum

    Correct Answer
    A. Atrioventricular (AV) node
    Explanation
    The atrioventricular (AV) node is supplied by the AV nodal artery, which
    usually arises from the right coronary artery opposite the origin of the posterior interventricular
    branch. The right atrium receives blood from the right coronary artery, the sinoatrial (SA) node
    is supplied by the sinuatrial node artery, and the apex of the heart and AV septum are supplied
    by the anterior IV artery.

    Rate this question:

  • 41. 

    A 5-year-old boy with breathing difficulty, chest pain, and cough was admitted to a local hospital. The pediatrician who examined the boy, along with laboratory results, diagnosed the child as having cystic fibrosis. Which of the following structures is most likely blocked?

    • Trachea

    • Primary bronchus

    • Secondary or lobar bronchi

    • Terminal bronchioles

    • Alveolar duct

    Correct Answer
    A. Alveolar duct
    Explanation
    Cystic fibrosis affects the respiratory system by causing an excess production
    of viscous mucus by the bronchial glands, followed by mucous plugging and obstruction of
    the respiratory airway, particularly a small airway, such as that in a child. The alveolar duct is a
    part of this respiratory unit. The other structures are not affected because they are large airway
    and are not usually obstructed and thus do not help in making the diagnosis.

    Rate this question:

  • 42. 

    A 37-year-old house painter fell from a ladder and fractured his left third rib and structures with which it articulated. Which of the following structures would most likely be damaged?

    • Manubrium of the sternum

    • Body of the second thoracic vertebra

    • Spinous process of the third thoracic vertebra

    • Body of the fourth thoracic vertebra

    • Transverse process of the second thoracic vertebra

    Correct Answer
    A. Body of the second thoracic vertebra
    Explanation
    The third rib articulates with the body of the sternum, bodies of the second
    and third thoracic vertebrae, and transverse process of the third thoracic vertebra.

    Rate this question:

  • 43. 

    A 37-year-old man is brought to the emergency room complaining of severe chest pain. His angiogram reveals thromboses of both brachiocephalic veins. This condition would most likely cause a dilation of which of the following veins?

    • Azygos

    • Hemiazygos

    • Right superior intercostal

    • Left superior intercostal

    • Internal thoracic

    Correct Answer
    A. Left superior intercostal
    Explanation
    The left superior intercostal vein is formed by the second, third, and fourth
    posterior intercostal vein and drains into the left brachiocephalic vein. The right superior intercostal
    vein drains into the azygos vein, which in turn drains into the superior vena cava. The
    hemiazygos vein drains into the azygos vein, whereas the internal thoracic vein empties into the
    brachiocephalic vein.

    Rate this question:

  • 44. 

    A 62-year-old woman who is a heavy smoker has an advanced lung cancer that spread into her right third intercostal space posterior to the midaxillary line. If cancer cells are carried in the venous drainage, they would travel first to which of the following veins?

    • Superior vena cava

    • Right superior intercostal vein

    • Right brachiocephalic vein

    • Azygos vein

    • Hemiazygos vein

    Correct Answer
    A. Right superior intercostal vein
    Explanation
    The superior intercostal vein is formed by the union of the second, third,
    and fourth posterior intercostal veins and drains into the azygos vein on the right and the brachiocephalic
    vein on the left. The azygos vein drains into the superior vena cava. The hemiazygos
    vein usually drains into the azygos vein.

    Rate this question:

  • 45. 

    A 21-year-old patient with a stab wound reveals a laceration of the right vagus nerve near the trachea in the superior mediastinum. Which of the following conditions would most likely be resulted from this lesion?

    • Loss of sensation carried by the recurrent laryngeal nerve

    • Vasodilation of coronary arteries

    • Dilation of the bronchial lumen

    • Increase in cardiac rate

    • Injury to parasympathetic preganglionic fibers

    Correct Answer
    A. Injury to parasympathetic preganglionic fibers
    Explanation
    The vagus nerve carries parasympathetic preganglionic fibers to the thoracic
    and abdominal viscera. The right recurrent laryngeal nerve is not affected by this injury because
    it winds around the right subclavian artery and ascends in the neck. The parasympathetic nerve
    in the vagus nerve decreases the heart rate, constricts the bronchial lumen, and causes vasoconstriction
    of the coronary arteries.

    Rate this question:

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 20, 2023 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 20, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Nov 10, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Chachelly
Back to Top Back to top
Advertisement
×

Wait!
Here's an interesting quiz for you.

We have other quizzes matching your interest.