MCAT Biology : Pulmonary and Systemic Circuits

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #891 : Biology

The brain is a very delicate structure with little room to move around. Surrounding the brain and the spinal cord are three protective layers in addition to the skull and the vertebral column. Directly surrounding the brain and spinal cord is the pia mater. Following the pia mater is the arachnoid mater. Between the pia mater and the arachnoid mater is the sub-arachnoid space where the cerebrospinal fluid circulates. Finally, the protective layer is the dura mater is loosely attached to the arachnoid mater but is strongly associated with the skull bone.

Depending on the type of injury, a certain type of vein and/or artery are more susceptible to injury. For example, the meningeal artery and vein run through the foramen spinosum and travel between the two layers making up the dura mater. As the artery and the vein are traveling in between the dura mater, there is a vulnerable region at the temple. A strike to the temple region could rupture these vessels and result in a epidural hematoma. 

Traveling from the cerebral cortex to the venous dural sinus (located at certain regions between the two layers of the dura mater) is the cerebral vein. When an injury results in the dura mater shifting away from the arachnoid mater, the cerebral vein could rupture and lead to a subdural hematoma.

According to the passage, the cerebral vein will ultimately drain into which structure?

Possible Answers:

Aorta

None of these

Foramen spinosum

Superior vena cava 

Left ventricle 

Correct answer:

Superior vena cava 

Explanation:

All of the venous blood will ultimately drain into the vena cava. From the vena cava, blood is then drained into the right atrium, the right ventricle, the pulmonary artery and finally to the lungs to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen.

Example Question #12 : Pulmonary And Systemic Circuits

The brain is a very delicate structure with little room to move around. Surrounding the brain and the spinal cord are three protective layers in addition to the skull and the vertebral column. Directly surrounding the brain and spinal cord is the pia mater. Following the pia mater is the arachnoid mater. Between the pia mater and the arachnoid mater is the sub-arachnoid space where the cerebrospinal fluid circulates. Finally, the protective layer is the dura mater is loosely attached to the arachnoid mater but is strongly associated with the skull bone.

Depending on the type of injury, a certain type of vein and/or artery are more susceptible to injury. For example, the meningeal artery and vein run through the foramen spinosum and travel between the two layers making up the dura mater. As the artery and the vein are traveling in between the dura mater, there is a vulnerable region at the temple. A strike to the temple region could rupture these vessels and result in a epidural hematoma. 

Traveling from the cerebral cortex to the venous dural sinus (located at certain regions between the two layers of the dura mater) is the cerebral vein. When an injury results in the dura mater shifting away from the arachnoid mater, the cerebral vein could rupture and lead to a subdural hematoma.

The meningeal artery received its blood supply from which specific structure? 

Possible Answers:

Inferior vena cava 

Right atrium

Pulmonary artery 

Left ventricle 

Right ventricle

Correct answer:

Left ventricle 

Explanation:

Oxygen-rich blood will enter the left atrium, left ventricle, aorta, then to the systemic circulation including the brain.   

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