Human Anatomy Self-Assessment Review Questions and answers

• Abdomen

Mediastinum

1. The boundary between the superior mediastinum and the inferior mediastinum can be described as a horizontal line extending from the:

a. ______________________________________ anteriorly

b. ______________________________________ posteriorly

2. Name the four (4) major branches of the left coronary artery.

a. ______________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________

d. ______________________________________________________

3. Name the four (4) major branches of the right coronary artery.

a. ______________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________

d. ______________________________________________________

4. Which cardiac valve is located between the right atrium and right 

ventricle?

____________________________________________________________

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5. Indicate the location of the nerve cells that provide autonomic innervation to the heart.

a. preganglionic sympathetic ___________________________

b. postganglionic sympathetic ___________________________

c. preganglionic parasympathetic ___________________________

d. postganglionic parasympathetic ___________________________

6. Name in order from proximal to distal, the three (3) arteries that arise from the arch of the aorta.

a. ______________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________

7. The azygos vein drains into what vein?

____________________________________________________________

8. Pectinate muscles are a feature of which chamber of the heart?

____________________________________________________________

9. Which artery passes horizontally, immediately posterior to the ascending aorta (be specific)?

____________________________________________________________

10. Which cardiac veins do NOT drain into the coronary sinus?

____________________________________________________________

11. In the superior mediastinum, what structure lies immediately posterior to the trachea?

____________________________________________________________

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12. The thoracic duct drains into the angle formed by which two vessels?

a. ______________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________

13. In the superior mediastinum, the left phrenic nerve lies (anterior / posterior) to the left pulmonary artery. 

_____________________________________________________________

14. In the superior mediastinum, the left brachiocephalic vein lies (anterior / posterior) to the left common carotid artery.

_____________________________________________________________

15. In the superior mediastinum, the ascending aorta lies (anterior / posterior) to the trachea. 

_____________________________________________________________

16. In the superior mediastinum, the esophagus lies (anterior / posterior) to the trachea.

_____________________________________________________________ 

17. In the superior mediastinum, the thoracic duct lies (anterior / posterior) to the superior vena cava.

_____________________________________________________________

18. In the superior mediastinum, the descending aorta lies (anterior / posterior) to the left main stem bronchus.

_____________________________________________________________

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19. In the superior mediastinum, the descending aorta lies (anterior / posterior) to the left pulmonary artery.

_____________________________________________________________

20. In the posterior mediastinum, the thoracic duct lies (to the right / to the left) of the thoracic aorta.

___________________________________________________________

21. In the posterior mediastinum, the esophagus lies (anterior / posterior) to the descending aorta.

___________________________________________________________

22. What is the origin of the internal thoracic artery?

___________________________________________________________

23. Name the opening in the respiratory diaphragm does NOT open into the posterior mediastinum?

___________________________________________________________ 

24. The phrenic nerve courses inferiorly through the mediastinum, passing

______________________ (anterior or posterior) to the root of the lung.

25. The vagus nerve courses inferiorly through the mediastinum, passing

______________________ (anterior or posterior) to the root of the lung.

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26. What vertebral level marks each of the following openings in the diaphragm?

a. aortic hiatus __________________________

b. vena caval hiatus __________________________

c. esophageal hiatus __________________________ 

27. Where is the best place on the chest to auscultate the aortic valve?

___________________________________________________________

28. Where is the best place on the chest to auscultate the tricuspid valve?

___________________________________________________________

29. Where is the best place on the chest to auscultate the pulmonary valve?

___________________________________________________________

30. Where is the best place on the chest to auscultate the mitral valve?

___________________________________________________________ 

31. Which covering of the heart is also known as the epicardium? 

___________________________________________________________

32. Which chamber forms the right border of the heart?

___________________________________________________________

33. Which coronary artery gives rise to a branch that supplies the SA node?

___________________________________________________________

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34. What structure lies immediately behind the esophagus at the T10 vertebral 

level?

___________________________________________________________ 

35. What structure lies on the anterior surface of the left main stem bronchus?

___________________________________________________________

Answer Key 

1. a. sternal angle (angle of Louis)

b. T4-T5 intervertebral disc

2. a. anterior interventricular artery

b. circumflex artery

c. left marginal artery.

d. lateral (diagonal)

3. a. posterior interventricular artery

b. right marginal artery

c. AV nodal branch

d. SA nodal branch

4. tricuspid valve

5. a. intermediolateral nucleus.

b. superior, middle, inferior cervical gang.

c. dorsal motor nucleus

d. cardiac plexus

6. a. brachiocephalic trunk

b. left common carotid artery

c. left subclavian artery

7. superior vena cava

8. right atrium

9. right pulmonary artery

10. anterior cardiac veins

11. esophagus

12. a. left internal jugular vein

b. left subclavian vein

13. anterior

14. anterior

15. anterior

16. posterior

17. posterior

18. posterior

19. posterior 

20. right

21. anterior

22. subclavian artery

23. vena caval hiatus

24. anterior

25. posterior

26. a. T12

b. T8

c. T10 

27. the second intercostal space on the right side along the lateral sternal border

28. the fifth intercostal space on the left side along the lateral sternal border

29. the second intercostal space on the left side along the lateral sternal border 

30. the fifth intercostal space on the left side on or near the midclavicular line

31. parietal layer of serous pericardium 

32. right ventricle

33. right coronary artery

34. thoracic aorta 

35. left pulmonary artery