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HESI A2 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
Question 1
The study of the function of body parts is called:
A) Anatomy
B) Physiology
C) Histology
D) Cytology
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiology is the study of how body structures function. Anatomy is the study of
structure, histology is the study of tissues, and cytology is the study of cells.
Question 2
The plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves is the:
A) Frontal plane
B) Transverse plane
C) Midsagittal plane
D) Coronal plane
Answer: C
Rationale: The midsagittal plane divides the body into equal right and left halves. The frontal
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(coronal) plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions, and the transverse plane
divides it into superior and inferior portions.
Question 3
The heart is located in which body cavity?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Answer: B
Rationale: The heart is located in the thoracic cavity, specifically in the mediastinum. The cranial
cavity contains the brain, and the abdominopelvic cavity contains the digestive and reproductive
organs.
Question 4
Which directional term means "toward the body's midline"?
A) Lateral
B) Medial
C) Proximal
D) Distal
Answer: B
Rationale: Medial means toward the midline. Lateral means away from the midline. Proximal
means closer to the point of attachment, and distal means farther from it.
Question 5
The maintenance of a stable internal environment is called:
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A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Adaptation
D) Differentiation
Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite
changes in external conditions.
Question 6
Which feedback mechanism amplifies a change rather than reversing it?
A) Negative feedback
B) Positive feedback
C) Neutral feedback
D) Homeostatic feedback
Answer: B
Rationale: Positive feedback amplifies a change (e.g., uterine contractions during childbirth).
Negative feedback reverses a change to return the body to homeostasis.
Question 7
The nose is _____ to the eyes.
A) Lateral
B) Medial
C) Superior
D) Distal
Answer: B
Rationale: The nose is medial to the eyes, meaning it is closer to the midline of the body.
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Question 8
Which of the following is NOT a body plane?
A) Sagittal
B) Frontal
C) Transverse
D) Lateral
Answer: D
Rationale: Lateral is a directional term, not a body plane. The three primary body planes are
sagittal, frontal (coronal), and transverse (horizontal).
Question 9
The fingers are _____ to the wrist.
A) Proximal
B) Distal
C) Medial
D) Superior
Answer: B
Rationale: The fingers are distal to the wrist, meaning they are farther from the point of
attachment (the shoulder).
Question 10
Which cavity contains the urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs?
A) Thoracic cavity
B) Abdominal cavity
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HESI A2 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY EXAM COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
Question 1
The study of the function of body parts is called:
A) Anatomy
B) Physiology
C) Histology
D) Cytology
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiology is the study of how body structures function. Anatomy is the study of
structure, histology is the study of tissues, and cytology is the study of cells.
Question 2
The plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves is the:
A) Frontal plane
B) Transverse plane
C) Midsagittal plane
D) Coronal plane
Answer: C
Rationale: The midsagittal plane divides the body into equal right and left halves. The frontal
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(coronal) plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions, and the transverse plane
divides it into superior and inferior portions.
Question 3
The heart is located in which body cavity?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Answer: B
Rationale: The heart is located in the thoracic cavity, specifically in the mediastinum. The cranial
cavity contains the brain, and the abdominopelvic cavity contains the digestive and reproductive
organs.
Question 4
Which directional term means "toward the body's midline"?
A) Lateral
B) Medial
C) Proximal
D) Distal
Answer: B
Rationale: Medial means toward the midline. Lateral means away from the midline. Proximal
means closer to the point of attachment, and distal means farther from it.
Question 5
The maintenance of a stable internal environment is called:
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A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Adaptation
D) Differentiation
Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite
changes in external conditions.
Question 6
Which feedback mechanism amplifies a change rather than reversing it?
A) Negative feedback
B) Positive feedback
C) Neutral feedback
D) Homeostatic feedback
Answer: B
Rationale: Positive feedback amplifies a change (e.g., uterine contractions during childbirth).
Negative feedback reverses a change to return the body to homeostasis.
Question 7
The nose is _____ to the eyes.
A) Lateral
B) Medial
C) Superior
D) Distal
Answer: B
Rationale: The nose is medial to the eyes, meaning it is closer to the midline of the body.
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Question 8
Which of the following is NOT a body plane?
A) Sagittal
B) Frontal
C) Transverse
D) Lateral
Answer: D
Rationale: Lateral is a directional term, not a body plane. The three primary body planes are
sagittal, frontal (coronal), and transverse (horizontal).
Question 9
The fingers are _____ to the wrist.
A) Proximal
B) Distal
C) Medial
D) Superior
Answer: B
Rationale: The fingers are distal to the wrist, meaning they are farther from the point of
attachment (the shoulder).
Question 10
Which cavity contains the urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs?
A) Thoracic cavity
B) Abdominal cavity
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