In the cardiovascular system, arteries, veins, and capillaries form an integrated vascular network responsible for blood delivery, exchange, and return. B. Pharm students must grasp detailed structure — tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia — and functional differences among elastic and muscular arteries, arterioles, venules, and capillary types. Core topics include endothelial signaling (nitric oxide, prostacyclin, endothelin), vascular compliance, peripheral resistance, Starling forces, capillary permeability (continuous, fenestrated, sinusoidal), and the pharmacological modulation of vascular tone. Understanding these anatomy-physiology relationships is essential for predicting drug distribution, hemodynamic effects, and therapeutic targets in cardiovascular pharmacotherapy. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. Which three layers are present in the wall of most blood vessels?
- Tunica interna, tunica external, tunica muscle
- Tunica adventitia, tunica media, tunica intima
- Endocardium, myocardium, epicardium
- Intima, elastica, mucosa
Correct Answer: Tunica adventitia, tunica media, tunica intima
Q2. Which layer of an artery contains smooth muscle and elastic fibers and chiefly determines vessel tone?
- Tunica intima
- Tunica interna
- Tunica media
- Tunica adventitia
Correct Answer: Tunica media
Q3. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of elastic (conducting) arteries?
- Prominent vasa vasorum and many elastic lamellae in the media
- Predominantly valves to prevent backflow
- Extensive exchange of nutrients with tissues
- Narrow lumen with thick endothelium
Correct Answer: Prominent vasa vasorum and many elastic lamellae in the media
Q4. Muscular (distributing) arteries are mainly distinguished by which property?
- High compliance and large lumen area
- Thick tunica media rich in smooth muscle cells
- Large fenestrations in endothelial cells
- Major role in lymph formation
Correct Answer: Thick tunica media rich in smooth muscle cells
Q5. Which vessel type is the primary site for regulation of systemic vascular resistance?
- Elastic arteries
- Capillaries
- Arterioles
- Large veins
Correct Answer: Arterioles
Q6. Which set correctly lists the three classical capillary types?
- Conducting, distributing, collecting
- Continuous, fenestrated, sinusoidal
- Endothelial, muscular, fibrous
- Large, medium, small
Correct Answer: Continuous, fenestrated, sinusoidal
Q7. Endothelial cells perform which crucial functions relevant to pharmacology and vascular biology?
- Synthesis of nitric oxide, expression of adhesion molecules, anticoagulant activity
- Contraction to generate systemic blood pressure
- Production of erythrocytes and leukocytes
- Secretion of digestive enzymes into the lumen
Correct Answer: Synthesis of nitric oxide, expression of adhesion molecules, anticoagulant activity
Q8. Venous valves are formed by which vascular layer?
- Tunica media
- Tunica intima
- Tunica adventitia
- Subendothelial connective tissue only
Correct Answer: Tunica intima
Q9. Which vascular compartment normally contains the largest proportion of the total blood volume?
- Arteries
- Capillaries
- Veins and venules
- Heart chambers
Correct Answer: Veins and venules
Q10. Where is blood pressure lowest under normal physiological conditions?
- Aorta
- Arterioles
- Capillaries
- Vena cavae
Correct Answer: Vena cavae
Q11. Which formula approximates mean arterial pressure (MAP)?
- MAP = (Systolic + Diastolic) / 2
- MAP ≈ Diastolic pressure + 1/3 Pulse pressure
- MAP = Cardiac output × Venous return
- MAP = Systolic pressure − 1/2 Diastolic pressure
Correct Answer: MAP ≈ Diastolic pressure + 1/3 Pulse pressure
Q12. Pulse pressure is defined as which of the following?
- Diastolic pressure minus venous pressure
- Systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure
- Mean arterial pressure divided by heart rate
- Central venous pressure difference
Correct Answer: Systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure
Q13. Which mechanism is primarily responsible for transendothelial transport of large plasma proteins?
- Simple diffusion through intercellular clefts
- Bulk flow via Starling forces only
- Transcytosis mediated by vesicles
- Paracellular transport through fenestrations only
Correct Answer: Transcytosis mediated by vesicles
Q14. Starling forces governing capillary fluid exchange include which pair?
- Hydrostatic pressure and oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure
- Capillary size and blood viscosity
- Arterial pressure and venous pressure only
- Transcytosis and endocytosis rates
Correct Answer: Hydrostatic pressure and oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure
Q15. An acute rise in capillary hydrostatic pressure is most likely to cause what clinical effect?
- Reduced interstitial fluid formation
- Edema due to increased fluid filtration
- Immediate thrombosis within capillaries
- Increased arterial compliance
Correct Answer: Edema due to increased fluid filtration
Q16. Which physiologic mechanism most directly enhances venous return during exercise?
- Activation of baroreceptors in the aortic arch
- Skeletal muscle pump compressing deep veins
- Decrease in cardiac contractility
- Dilation of capillary beds only
Correct Answer: Skeletal muscle pump compressing deep veins
Q17. Baroreceptors that detect changes in arterial pressure are primarily located in which sites?
- Carotid sinus and aortic arch
- Brachial artery and femoral artery
- Left atrium and right ventricle
- Capillary beds in skeletal muscle
Correct Answer: Carotid sinus and aortic arch
Q18. Which endothelial-derived mediator causes vasodilation by increasing cGMP in smooth muscle?
- Endothelin-1
- Nitric oxide (NO)
- Thromboxane A2
- Angiotensin II
Correct Answer: Nitric oxide (NO)
Q19. ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure primarily by which mechanism?
- Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors on arterioles
- Inhibiting conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
- Directly blocking L-type calcium channels
- Stimulating endothelin release
Correct Answer: Inhibiting conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
Q20. Which vascular segment has the greatest total cross-sectional area in the systemic circulation?
- Aorta
- Large veins
- Arterioles
- Capillaries
Correct Answer: Capillaries
Q21. Where is blood flow velocity slowest, facilitating exchange between blood and tissues?
- Aorta
- Capillaries
- Arterioles
- Large veins
Correct Answer: Capillaries
Q22. Which vascular arrangement most effectively provides collateral circulation to a tissue?
- End arteries with no connections
- Arterial anastomoses between adjacent arteries
- Single large-capacity vein draining the tissue
- High density of capillary fenestrations
Correct Answer: Arterial anastomoses between adjacent arteries
Q23. Sinusoidal capillaries are typically found in which organs?
- Liver, spleen, and bone marrow
- Skin and muscle
- Kidney glomerulus only
- Brain and retina
Correct Answer: Liver, spleen, and bone marrow
Q24. Which cell type lines the lumen of all blood vessels and mediates anticoagulant and permeability functions?
- Smooth muscle cell
- Fibroblast
- Endothelial cell
- Pericyte
Correct Answer: Endothelial cell
Q25. The vasa vasorum primarily supply which structures?
- The endothelial glycocalyx
- The inner tunica intima of capillaries
- The outer layers of large arteries and veins
- The lymphatic vessels only
Correct Answer: The outer layers of large arteries and veins
Q26. Which vascular property is highest in veins compared to arteries and influences venous capacitance?
- Elastic recoil
- Compliance
- Wall thickness
- Smooth muscle density
Correct Answer: Compliance
Q27. Which antihypertensive drug primarily reduces afterload by direct arteriolar vasodilation?
- Propranolol (beta-blocker)
- Hydralazine
- Furosemide
- Spironolactone
Correct Answer: Hydralazine
Q28. The primary site of leukocyte extravasation during inflammation is which vascular segment?
- Postcapillary venules
- Large elastic arteries
- Arterioles
- Capillary basement membrane
Correct Answer: Postcapillary venules
Q29. Which peptide produced by endothelial cells is a potent vasoconstrictor?
- Prostacyclin (PGI2)
- Nitric oxide (NO)
- Endothelin-1
- Atrial natriuretic peptide
Correct Answer: Endothelin-1
Q30. The myogenic response of arterioles refers to which phenomenon?
- Constriction in response to decreased intraluminal pressure
- Constriction in response to increased intraluminal pressure
- Dilation only when stimulated by sympathetic nerves
- Passive collapse when transmural pressure rises
Correct Answer: Constriction in response to increased intraluminal pressure
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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