Anatomy Lab Exam — Comprehensive Secondary Question Bank

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering gross anatomy, cardiovascular structures, blood histology, vascular networks, and lymphatic tissues for the practical lab examination.

Fibrous Pericardium

Tough outer sac composed of dense irregular connective tissue that anchors the heart to the diaphragm and prevents overfilling.

Serous Pericardium – Parietal Layer

Serous membrane lined with simple squamous mesothelium that lines the interior of the fibrous sac and secretes serous fluid into the pericardial cavity to reduce friction.

Serous Pericardium – Visceral Layer

The layer adhering directly to the heart surface, also known as the epicardium, composed of mesothelium over connective tissue and adipose; secretes serous (pericardial) fluid.

Epicardium

The outermost layer of the heart wall composed of simple squamous mesothelium plus adipose and connective tissue, through which coronary vessels run.

Myocardium

Thick middle layer of the heart wall made of cardiac muscle tissue (branched cardiomyocytes with intercalated discs) that contracts to pump blood; thickest in the left ventricle.

Endocardium

Thin inner lining of the heart chambers and valves made of endothelium (simple squamous epithelium) overlying connective tissue, providing a smooth surface that prevents clotting.

Intraventricular (Interventricular) Septum

Muscular wall separating the ventricles, thicker on the left ventricular side, through which the anterior and posterior interventricular arteries run.

Membranous Septum – AV Part

Thin upper connective tissue portion of the interventricular septum near the AV valves; forms part of the cardiac skeleton and is the site of the most common ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Right Atrium

Chamber that receives deoxygenated blood from the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus; features pectinate muscles and the fossa ovalis.

Left Atrium

Chamber that receives oxygenated blood from four pulmonary veins, contains less prominent pectinate muscles, and empties through the mitral (left AV) valve.

Right Ventricle

Thinner-walled chamber that pumps deoxygenated blood through the pulmonary valve to the lungs; characterized internally by the moderator band.

Left Ventricle

Thickest-walled chamber featuring trabeculae carneae and papillary muscles; pumps oxygenated blood against the highest systemic pressure through the aortic valve.

Aorta

Largest artery leaving the left ventricle, consisting of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending aorta; gives rise to the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries.

Superior Vena Cava

Valveless large vein formed by the union of the right and left brachiocephalic veins that drains venous blood from the upper body into the right atrium.

Inferior Vena Cava

Large vein formed by the common iliac veins that penetrates the diaphragm at the caval opening ($T8$) to drain blood from the lower body into the right atrium.

Ligamentum Arteriosum

Fibrous connective tissue cord representing the remnant of the fetal ductus arteriosus, which previously shunted blood from the pulmonary trunk to the aorta.

Pulmonary Arteries

Vessels arising from the pulmonary valve carrying deoxygenated blood to the lungs; the left pulmonary artery is the shorter of the two.

Pulmonary Veins

Four vessels (two from each lung) that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs directly into the left atrium.

Auricles of Atria

Ear-like external flaps lined with pectinate muscles that serve to increase atrial volume; the right auricle is larger than the left.

Coronary Sulcus

Also called the atrioventricular groove; surface groove marking the junction between atria and ventricles, transmitting the coronary sinus, circumflex artery, and right coronary artery.

Intraventricular Sulcus

Surface groove marking the interventricular septum; the anterior groove transmits the anterior interventricular artery and great cardiac vein, while the posterior groove carries the posterior interventricular artery.

Apex of the Heart

Pointed inferior tip of the heart formed by the left ventricle, oriented down, forward, and to the left; site where the mitral valve is best auscultated.

Base of the Heart

Flat superior and posterior surface formed predominantly by the left atrium (and part of the right), into which the pulmonary veins, SVC, and IVC enter.

Pulmonary Valve

Three-cusp semilunar valve located at the base of the pulmonary trunk that prevents backflow of blood into the right ventricle.

Aortic Valve

Three-cusp semilunar valve situated between the left ventricle and aorta; coronary arteries originate from the aortic sinuses behind its cusps.

Right Atrioventricular Valve

Tricuspid valve with three cusps located between the right atrium and right ventricle, closed by papillary muscle tension via chordae tendineae.

Left Atrioventricular Valve

Bicuspid or mitral valve with two cusps located between the left atrium and left ventricle, held closed during systole by chordae tendineae and papillary muscles.

Moderator Band

Also known as the septomarginal trabecula; muscular ridge in the right ventricle carrying part of the right bundle branch (Purkinje fibers) to papillary muscles and preventing ventricular overdistension.

Chordae tendineae

Dense regular connective tissue cords ("heart strings") connecting papillary muscles to AV valve cusps to prevent cusp prolapse into the atria during ventricular contraction.

Papillary Muscles

Cone-shaped muscular projections from ventricular walls that attach to chordae tendineae and contract to maintain closure of AV valves.

Trabeculae carneae

Irregular muscular folds and ridges of myocardium lining the inner walls of both ventricles, found in greater numbers in the right ventricle.

Pectinate Muscle

Comb-like ridges of myocardium located exclusively within the auricles and anterior atrial walls.

Fossa Ovalis

Oval depression in the right interatrial septum representing the closed remnant of the fetal foramen ovale, which previously bypassed the non-functional fetal lungs.

Opening of Coronary Sinus

Valve-guarded opening situated within the right atrium adjacent to the IVC orifice that delivers venous drainage from the myocardium.

Cardiac Skeleton

Dense irregular connective tissue framework consisting of fibrous valve rings, membranous septum, and trigones that anchors valves and electrically insulates atria from ventricles.

Right Coronary Artery

Coronary vessel arising from the right aortic sinus that supplies the right atrium, right ventricle, and typically the SA and AV nodes; transitions into the posterior interventricular artery in right-dominant hearts.

Left Coronary Artery

Coronary artery arising from the left aortic sinus that bifurcates into the anterior interventricular and circumflex arteries to supply the left side of the heart and most of the septum.

Right Marginal Artery

Branch of the right coronary artery running along the acute right inferior border of the heart to supply the right ventricle.

Circumflex Artery

Branch of the left coronary artery coursing in the coronary sulcus on the left aspect of the heart to supply the left atrium and left ventricle.

Anterior Interventricular Artery

Branch of the left coronary artery (also called the LAD) running in the anterior interventricular sulcus alongside the great cardiac vein to supply the anterior ventricular walls and anterior septum.

Posterior Interventricular Artery

Artery (also called the posterior descending artery or PDA), typically branching from the right coronary artery, running in the posterior interventricular sulcus to supply posterior ventricular walls and septum.

Great Cardiac Vein

Venous vessel running alongside the anterior interventricular artery in the anterior interventricular sulcus that drains into the coronary sinus.

Coronary Sinus

Large wide venous channel in the posterior coronary sulcus that receives the majority of the heart's venous blood and discharges directly into the right atrium.

Sinoatrial Node

Primary intrinsic cardiac pacemaker located in the right atrial wall near the entrance of the superior vena cava; generates impulses at approximately $75\,\text{beats per minute}$.

Atrioventricular Node

Conductive tissue mass located in the inferior interatrial septum near the tricuspid valve that slows impulse transmission to allow atrial emptying; fires at roughly $50\,\text{beats per minute}$.

Atrioventricular Bundle

Also called the Bundle of His; conduction tract traveling through the interventricular septum to convey electrical impulses from the AV node to the ventricles.

Bundle Branches

Left and right specialized conduction paths descending the interventricular septum toward Purkinje networks; the right bundle branch travels within the moderator band.

Endocardial Network (Purkinje fibers)

Subendocardial arborization of specialized, modified cardiac conduction cells that distribute electrical activation throughout the ventricular myocardium.

Cardiomyocytes

Striated, branched cardiac muscle cells with one or two centrally located oval nuclei, joined mechanically and electrically by intercalated discs.

Intercalated Discs

Transverse specialized junctions between adjacent cardiomyocytes containing desmosomes for physical binding and gap junctions for electrical coupling.

Erythrocytes

Anucleate biconcave discs specialized for oxygen transport via hemoglobin; typical abundance ranges between $4.5\text{--}5.5 \times 10^6\,\mu\text{L}^{-1}$.

Neutrophils

Most abundant leukocyte ($\approx 60\%$, range $50\text{--}70\%$) characterized by a multilobed nucleus and pale granules; specializes in phagocytosing bacteria.

Lymphocytes

Agranulocytic leukocytes with large spherical dark-staining nuclei and scant cytoplasm, making up roughly $30\%$ of circulating white cells; function in targeted immune defense (T and B cells).

Monocytes

Agranulocytes comprising $5\text{--}8\%$ of leukocytes, exhibiting a kidney-shaped nucleus and ample cytoplasm; migrate into tissues to become macrophages.

Eosinophils

Granulocytes with bilobed nuclei and conspicuous red-orange cytoplasmic granules ($2\text{--}4\%$ of leukocytes) active against parasitic infections and in allergic reactions.

Basophils

The rarest leukocyte ($0.5\text{--}1\%$) characterized by an S-shaped nucleus and coarse dark blue granules containing histamine and heparin.

Platelets (thrombocytes)

Anucleate cellular fragments derived from megakaryocytes in red bone marrow ($150{,}000\text{--}400{,}000\,\mu\text{L}^{-1}$) that execute blood clotting.

Iron-deficient Anemia

Anemia induced by blood loss or dietary inadequacy characterized by small, pale (microcytic, hypochromic) erythrocytes and insufficient hemoglobin synthesis.

Pernicious Anemia

Macrocytic anemia resulting from vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency caused by the lack of intrinsic factor secretion from gastric parietal cells.

Sickle Cell Anemia

Autosomal recessive genetic disorder involving abnormal hemoglobin S, which polymerizes under low oxygen tension to deform erythrocytes into rigid crescent shapes.

Thalassemia

Autosomal inherited disorder caused by defective alpha or beta globin chain synthesis, producing small, pale (microcytic) red blood cells.

Tunica Intima

Innermost blood vessel layer consisting of a simple squamous endothelium resting on a loose connective tissue subendothelial layer, bounded by an internal elastic lamina in arteries.

Tunica Media

Middle muscular vessel tunic made of circular smooth muscle and elastic fibers; regulates vessel caliber and systemic blood pressure and is considerably thicker in arteries.

Tunica Externa

Outermost protective vascular tunic (tunica adventitia) composed of dense irregular collagenous connective tissue containing nourishing vaso vasorum.

Internal Elastic Lamina

A prominent fenestrated sheet of elastic fibers separating the tunica intima from the tunica media in arterial walls.

External Elastic Lamina

A layer of elastic fibers situated at the junction of the tunica media and tunica externa, most prominent in larger muscular arteries.

Vaso vasorum

Network of minute blood vessels distributed within the tunica externa that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the walls of large vessels.

Vertebral Artery

Branch of the subclavian artery that ascends through cervical transverse foramina to supply the posterior cerebral circulation before uniting to form the basilar artery.

Internal Carotid Artery

Branch of the common carotid artery that courses through the neck without branching to supply the brain and the eye.

External Carotid Artery

Branch of the common carotid artery that supplies extracranial tissues including the face, scalp, and neck via facial, maxillary, superficial temporal, and occipital branches.

Common Carotid Artery

Major neck artery bifurcating into internal and external carotid arteries around the level of the larynx ($C4$); bears the carotid sinus baroreceptor at its bifurcation.

Subclavian Artery

Artery arising from the brachiocephalic trunk on the right and directly from the aortic arch on the left; continues as the axillary artery at the first rib.

Axillary Artery

Vascular continuation of the subclavian artery beyond the outer border of the first rib, supplying the shoulder and upper arm before becoming the brachial artery.

Brachiocephalic Trunk

Single large artery branching off the right aspect of the aortic arch that divides into the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries.

Brachial Artery

Continuation of the axillary artery coursing down the medial aspect of the arm; used for blood pressure measurements and bifurcates into the radial and ulnar arteries.

Radial Artery

Lateral terminal branch of the brachial artery supplying the lateral forearm, forming the deep palmar arch, and commonly utilized for taking a wrist pulse.

Ulnar Artery

Medial terminal branch of the brachial artery that travels with the ulnar nerve to supply the medial forearm and hand, completing the superficial palmar arch.

Posterior Circumflex Humeral Artery

Branch of the axillary artery traveling with the axillary nerve around the surgical neck of the humerus to supply the deltoid muscle and shoulder joint.

Anterior Circumflex Humeral Artery

Branch of the axillary artery that winds around the surgical neck of the humerus to supply the shoulder joint.

Thoracic Aorta

Section of the descending aorta located superior to the diaphragm giving off intercostal arteries before continuing into the abdomen.

Circle of Willis

Arterial anastomotic circle located at the base of the brain providing collateral circulation between the anterior and posterior arterial systems.

Anterior Communicating Artery

Short anastomotic artery within the Circle of Willis that connects the right and left anterior cerebral arteries.

Anterior Cerebral Artery

Terminal branch of the internal carotid artery that supplies the medial surfaces of the frontal and parietal lobes.

Posterior Communicating Artery

Connecting vessel in the Circle of Willis linking the internal carotid artery to the posterior cerebral artery.

Posterior Cerebral Artery

Terminal branch of the basilar artery that distributes blood to the occipital lobe of the cerebral cortex.

Basilar Artery

Midline artery formed by the confluence of the two vertebral arteries that ascends along the brainstem to supply the brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior cerebrum.

Abdominal Aorta

Aortic continuation emerging beneath the diaphragm that delivers visceral branches (celiac trunk, SMA, IMA) before dividing into the common iliac arteries.

Celiac Trunk

Unpaired anterior branch of the abdominal aorta just below the diaphragm that trifurcates into the common hepatic, left gastric, and splenic arteries to supply the foregut.

Common Hepatic Artery

Branch of the celiac trunk that produces the gastroduodenal artery and supplies arterial blood to the liver.

Left Gastric Artery

Branch of the celiac trunk that courses along the lesser curvature of the stomach to supply it.

Splenic Artery

Tortuous branch of the celiac trunk tracking the superior border of the pancreas to supply the spleen.

Renal Artery

Paired lateral branch of the abdominal aorta delivering blood directly to the kidneys for metabolic maintenance and filtration.

Superior Mesenteric Artery

Unpaired visceral artery arising inferior to the celiac trunk that supplies the small intestine and the right half of the colon.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

Unpaired lower abdominal aorta branch supplying oxygenated blood to the left half of the colon and rectum.

Gonadal Arteries

Paired abdominal aortic branches that descend to vascularize the testes (testicular arteries) or ovaries (ovarian arteries).

Common Iliac Artery

Terminal bifurcation branch of the abdominal aorta that splits into the internal and external iliac arteries.

Internal Iliac Artery

Medial branch of the common iliac artery that descends into the pelvis to vascularize the pelvic viscera and perineum.

External Iliac Artery

Lateral branch of the common iliac artery that passes deep to the inguinal ligament to continue into the anterior thigh as the femoral artery.

Femoral Artery

Primary arterial conduit of the lower extremity continuing from the external iliac artery; palpated within the femoral triangle before entering the popliteal space.

Deep Artery of the Thigh

Also called profunda femoris; major branch of the femoral artery that distributes blood into the deep muscular compartments of the thigh.