BIOL 252 A&P II CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
(HEART) EXAM REVIEW 2026 | 135+
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | PORTAGE
LEARNING MODULE 2
BIOL 252 A&P II | CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (HEART) EXAM REVIEW 2026
PORTAGE LEARNING MODULE 2 | QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
• This document contains 135 high-yield multiple-choice questions with bolded
correct answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALEs, covering all major topics of the
cardiovascular system (heart) — designed for deep comprehension and exam
mastery.
• Study tip: Attempt each question independently before reading the answer, then
focus on the EXPERT RATIONALE to understand the "why" behind each answer —
this builds lasting recall rather than surface-level memorization.
SECTION 1: HEART ANATOMY & LOCATION
1. Where is the heart located in the body?
A. Right lateral thoracic cavity
B. Left lateral thoracic cavity
C. The mediastinum, slightly left of the midline
D. Directly posterior to the sternum in the midline
E. The abdominal cavity, superior to the diaphragm
✓ Correct Answer: C. The mediastinum, slightly left of the midline
EXPERT RATIONALE: The heart is located in the mediastinum — the central
compartment of the thoracic cavity — and sits slightly to the left of the midline
because the left ventricle forms the apex, which points toward the lower left.
,2. The apex of the heart points toward which direction?
A. Superior and to the right
B. Posterior and to the right
C. Inferior and to the left
D. Anterior and upward
E. Directly downward
✓ Correct Answer: C. Inferior and to the left
EXPERT RATIONALE: The apex of the heart is formed by the tip of the left ventricle
and points inferiorly and to the left, typically located at approximately the level of
the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
3. The base of the heart is formed primarily by which structure?
A. The right ventricle
B. The left ventricle
C. The left atrium
D. The right atrium
E. The interventricular septum
✓ Correct Answer: C. The left atrium
EXPERT RATIONALE: The base of the heart faces posteriorly and superiorly and is
formed primarily by the left atrium. This is where most of the great vessels enter
and exit the heart.
4. Approximately how much does the average adult heart weigh?
A. 50–100 g
B. 100–150 g
, C. 200–250 g
D. 300–350 g
E. 400–450 g
✓ Correct Answer: D. 300–350 g
EXPERT RATIONALE: The average adult human heart weighs approximately 300–
350 grams. The heart is roughly the size of a closed fist and can vary based on body
size, sex, and health conditions.
5. Which surface of the heart rests on the diaphragm?
A. Anterior (sternocostal) surface
B. Posterior surface
C. Right pulmonary surface
D. Inferior (diaphragmatic) surface
E. Left pulmonary surface
✓ Correct Answer: D. Inferior (diaphragmatic) surface
EXPERT RATIONALE: The inferior surface, also called the diaphragmatic surface, is
formed primarily by the left ventricle and rests on the central tendon and muscular
part of the diaphragm.
6. The anterior surface of the heart is formed mainly by which chamber?
A. Left atrium
B. Left ventricle
C. Right atrium
D. Right ventricle
E. Both ventricles equally
, ✓ Correct Answer: D. Right ventricle
EXPERT RATIONALE: The anterior (sternocostal) surface of the heart is formed
predominantly by the right ventricle. This is why anterior chest trauma most
commonly injures the right ventricle.
7. What is the approximate size comparison for the heart?
A. Size of a baseball
B. Size of a tennis ball
C. Size of a closed fist
D. Size of an open palm
E. Size of a golf ball
✓ Correct Answer: C. Size of a closed fist
EXPERT RATIONALE: The heart is roughly the size of the owner's closed fist, making
it easy to estimate its size relative to body size.
8. The great vessels attach to which part of the heart?
A. Apex
B. Base
C. Anterior surface
D. Inferior surface
E. Left pulmonary surface
✓ Correct Answer: B. Base
EXPERT RATIONALE: The great vessels — including the aorta, pulmonary trunk,
superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and pulmonary veins — all attach at the
base of the heart (the superior-posterior aspect).
(HEART) EXAM REVIEW 2026 | 135+
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | PORTAGE
LEARNING MODULE 2
BIOL 252 A&P II | CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM (HEART) EXAM REVIEW 2026
PORTAGE LEARNING MODULE 2 | QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
• This document contains 135 high-yield multiple-choice questions with bolded
correct answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALEs, covering all major topics of the
cardiovascular system (heart) — designed for deep comprehension and exam
mastery.
• Study tip: Attempt each question independently before reading the answer, then
focus on the EXPERT RATIONALE to understand the "why" behind each answer —
this builds lasting recall rather than surface-level memorization.
SECTION 1: HEART ANATOMY & LOCATION
1. Where is the heart located in the body?
A. Right lateral thoracic cavity
B. Left lateral thoracic cavity
C. The mediastinum, slightly left of the midline
D. Directly posterior to the sternum in the midline
E. The abdominal cavity, superior to the diaphragm
✓ Correct Answer: C. The mediastinum, slightly left of the midline
EXPERT RATIONALE: The heart is located in the mediastinum — the central
compartment of the thoracic cavity — and sits slightly to the left of the midline
because the left ventricle forms the apex, which points toward the lower left.
,2. The apex of the heart points toward which direction?
A. Superior and to the right
B. Posterior and to the right
C. Inferior and to the left
D. Anterior and upward
E. Directly downward
✓ Correct Answer: C. Inferior and to the left
EXPERT RATIONALE: The apex of the heart is formed by the tip of the left ventricle
and points inferiorly and to the left, typically located at approximately the level of
the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
3. The base of the heart is formed primarily by which structure?
A. The right ventricle
B. The left ventricle
C. The left atrium
D. The right atrium
E. The interventricular septum
✓ Correct Answer: C. The left atrium
EXPERT RATIONALE: The base of the heart faces posteriorly and superiorly and is
formed primarily by the left atrium. This is where most of the great vessels enter
and exit the heart.
4. Approximately how much does the average adult heart weigh?
A. 50–100 g
B. 100–150 g
, C. 200–250 g
D. 300–350 g
E. 400–450 g
✓ Correct Answer: D. 300–350 g
EXPERT RATIONALE: The average adult human heart weighs approximately 300–
350 grams. The heart is roughly the size of a closed fist and can vary based on body
size, sex, and health conditions.
5. Which surface of the heart rests on the diaphragm?
A. Anterior (sternocostal) surface
B. Posterior surface
C. Right pulmonary surface
D. Inferior (diaphragmatic) surface
E. Left pulmonary surface
✓ Correct Answer: D. Inferior (diaphragmatic) surface
EXPERT RATIONALE: The inferior surface, also called the diaphragmatic surface, is
formed primarily by the left ventricle and rests on the central tendon and muscular
part of the diaphragm.
6. The anterior surface of the heart is formed mainly by which chamber?
A. Left atrium
B. Left ventricle
C. Right atrium
D. Right ventricle
E. Both ventricles equally
, ✓ Correct Answer: D. Right ventricle
EXPERT RATIONALE: The anterior (sternocostal) surface of the heart is formed
predominantly by the right ventricle. This is why anterior chest trauma most
commonly injures the right ventricle.
7. What is the approximate size comparison for the heart?
A. Size of a baseball
B. Size of a tennis ball
C. Size of a closed fist
D. Size of an open palm
E. Size of a golf ball
✓ Correct Answer: C. Size of a closed fist
EXPERT RATIONALE: The heart is roughly the size of the owner's closed fist, making
it easy to estimate its size relative to body size.
8. The great vessels attach to which part of the heart?
A. Apex
B. Base
C. Anterior surface
D. Inferior surface
E. Left pulmonary surface
✓ Correct Answer: B. Base
EXPERT RATIONALE: The great vessels — including the aorta, pulmonary trunk,
superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and pulmonary veins — all attach at the
base of the heart (the superior-posterior aspect).
