Anatomy and Physiology: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 4 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Practice problems

1.Human anatomyMedium

Which artery is most commonly used to feel the pulse at the wrist?

  1. AUlnar artery
  2. BBrachial artery
  3. CAxillary artery
  4. DRadial artery
2.Human anatomyHard

Why does a displaced fracture of the femoral neck carry a high risk of avascular necrosis of the femoral head?

  1. AIt cuts the main trunk of the femoral artery
  2. BIt blocks the femoral vein and causes congestion
  3. CIt damages the sciatic nerve that controls blood flow
  4. DIt tears the retinacular branches of the medial circumflex femoral artery
3.Human physiologyMedium

Why can cardiac muscle not be tetanised like skeletal muscle?

  1. AIt is controlled only by hormones
  2. BIts long refractory period lasts almost as long as the contraction
  3. CIt is not striated
  4. DIt has no calcium in the sarcoplasmic reticulum
4.Human physiologyHard

Why is severe hyperkalaemia dangerous for the heart?

  1. AIt depolarises cardiac cells, inactivating sodium channels and causing arrhythmias
  2. BIt blocks the binding of calcium to troponin
  3. CIt speeds up the SA node until tachycardia causes fainting
  4. DIt hyperpolarises cardiac cells, so they can never fire

2Solutions

1.Human anatomy

Answer: D · Radial artery

Why this is the answer

The radial artery lies superficially on the thumb side of the wrist, against the radius, which makes the pulse easy to feel.

Answer

D · Radial artery
2.Human anatomy

Answer: D · It tears the retinacular branches of the medial circumflex femoral artery

Why this is the answer

The femoral head is supplied mainly by retinacular branches of the medial circumflex femoral artery running along the neck. A displaced neck fracture tears them and the head can die.

Answer

D · It tears the retinacular branches of the medial circumflex femoral artery
3.Human physiology

Answer: B · Its long refractory period lasts almost as long as the contraction

Why this is the answer

The plateau of the cardiac action potential gives a long refractory period, so the muscle relaxes before it can be excited again. This allows the heart to refill.

Answer

B · Its long refractory period lasts almost as long as the contraction
4.Human physiology

Answer: A · It depolarises cardiac cells, inactivating sodium channels and causing arrhythmias

Why this is the answer

High extracellular potassium makes the resting potential less negative. Many fast sodium channels then become inactivated, slowing conduction and risking fatal arrhythmias.

Answer

A · It depolarises cardiac cells, inactivating sodium channels and causing arrhythmias

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