HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY GRAND CANYON
UNIVERSITY | BIO 201 | QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | ALREADY
GRADED A+
CORE DOMAINS
• Anatomical Terminology, Body Planes, and Cavities
• Homeostasis and Feedback Mechanisms
• Cell Structure, Function, and Transport
• Tissue Types and Integumentary System
• Skeletal System and Articulations
• Muscular System
• Nervous System and Special Senses
• Cardiovascular System: Blood and Heart
• Respiratory System
• Gastrointestinal and Digestive System
• Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
• Immune and Lymphatic Systems
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed for pre-nursing and allied
health students preparing for the HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology section
and Grand Canyon University BIO 201 coursework. Updated for the
2025/2026 testing cycle, it contains exam-style questions with 100%
verified correct answers and detailed rationales. The HESI A2 A&P section
contains approximately 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 25
minutes, covering all major body systems. This resource helps students
reinforce foundational knowledge, strengthen critical thinking, and achieve
,the minimum score of 75% in Human Anatomy and Physiology required by
GCU's nursing program.
SECTION ONE: ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY, BODY PLANES, AND
CAVITIES
1. The term that means "closer to the midline of the body" is:
A) Lateral
B) Medial
C) Proximal
D) Distal
B) Medial
RATIONALE: Medial indicates toward the midline; lateral is away from
the midline. Proximal means closer to the trunk; distal means farther from
the trunk. Anatomical directional terms are essential for describing locations
of body structures .
2. A transverse plane divides the body into:
A) Anterior and posterior portions
B) Superior and inferior portions
C) Left and right portions
D) Frontal and sagittal portions
B) Superior and inferior portions
RATIONALE: The transverse (horizontal) plane divides into top
(superior) and bottom (inferior). The coronal (frontal) plane divides
anterior/posterior; the sagittal plane divides left/right .
3. In anatomical position, which direction do the palms face?
A) Forward
B) Backward
C) Toward the thighs
D) Toward the midline
, A) Forward
RATIONALE: Anatomical position is standing upright with arms at the
sides and palms facing forward. This standard reference position allows for
consistent anatomical descriptions .
4. A structure closer to the trunk than another structure is described
as:
A) Distal
B) Proximal
C) Superficial
D) Lateral
B) Proximal
RATIONALE: Proximal means nearer the point of attachment or the
trunk. Distal means farther from the trunk. These terms are commonly used
when describing limb structures .
5. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A) Sagittal plane
B) Transverse plane
C) Frontal plane
D) Oblique axis
C) Frontal plane
RATIONALE: The frontal, or coronal, plane separates front and back
portions. The sagittal plane divides left and right; the transverse plane
divides superior and inferior .
6. The ventral body cavity contains which of the following?
A) Cranial cavity and spinal cavity
B) Thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity
C) Pelvic cavity only
D) Dorsal cavity only
, B) Thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity
RATIONALE: The ventral cavity includes the thoracic and
abdominopelvic cavities. The dorsal cavity contains the cranial and spinal
cavities. The thoracic cavity holds the heart and lungs; the abdominopelvic
cavity holds digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs .
7. The heart is located primarily in which cavity?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Pelvic cavity
C) Vertebral cavity
D) Thoracic cavity
D) Thoracic cavity
RATIONALE: The heart lies in the mediastinum within the thoracic
cavity. The cranial cavity houses the brain; the vertebral cavity houses the
spinal cord; the pelvic cavity houses the bladder and reproductive organs .
8. Where can the urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs be
found?
A) Thoracic cavity
B) Mediastinum
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
RATIONALE: The urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs are
located in the pelvic cavity, which is the inferior portion of the
abdominopelvic cavity .
9. The term "supine" means:
A) Lying face down
B) Lying face up
C) Standing upright
D) Sitting position
UNIVERSITY | BIO 201 | QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) | ALREADY
GRADED A+
CORE DOMAINS
• Anatomical Terminology, Body Planes, and Cavities
• Homeostasis and Feedback Mechanisms
• Cell Structure, Function, and Transport
• Tissue Types and Integumentary System
• Skeletal System and Articulations
• Muscular System
• Nervous System and Special Senses
• Cardiovascular System: Blood and Heart
• Respiratory System
• Gastrointestinal and Digestive System
• Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
• Immune and Lymphatic Systems
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed for pre-nursing and allied
health students preparing for the HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology section
and Grand Canyon University BIO 201 coursework. Updated for the
2025/2026 testing cycle, it contains exam-style questions with 100%
verified correct answers and detailed rationales. The HESI A2 A&P section
contains approximately 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 25
minutes, covering all major body systems. This resource helps students
reinforce foundational knowledge, strengthen critical thinking, and achieve
,the minimum score of 75% in Human Anatomy and Physiology required by
GCU's nursing program.
SECTION ONE: ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY, BODY PLANES, AND
CAVITIES
1. The term that means "closer to the midline of the body" is:
A) Lateral
B) Medial
C) Proximal
D) Distal
B) Medial
RATIONALE: Medial indicates toward the midline; lateral is away from
the midline. Proximal means closer to the trunk; distal means farther from
the trunk. Anatomical directional terms are essential for describing locations
of body structures .
2. A transverse plane divides the body into:
A) Anterior and posterior portions
B) Superior and inferior portions
C) Left and right portions
D) Frontal and sagittal portions
B) Superior and inferior portions
RATIONALE: The transverse (horizontal) plane divides into top
(superior) and bottom (inferior). The coronal (frontal) plane divides
anterior/posterior; the sagittal plane divides left/right .
3. In anatomical position, which direction do the palms face?
A) Forward
B) Backward
C) Toward the thighs
D) Toward the midline
, A) Forward
RATIONALE: Anatomical position is standing upright with arms at the
sides and palms facing forward. This standard reference position allows for
consistent anatomical descriptions .
4. A structure closer to the trunk than another structure is described
as:
A) Distal
B) Proximal
C) Superficial
D) Lateral
B) Proximal
RATIONALE: Proximal means nearer the point of attachment or the
trunk. Distal means farther from the trunk. These terms are commonly used
when describing limb structures .
5. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A) Sagittal plane
B) Transverse plane
C) Frontal plane
D) Oblique axis
C) Frontal plane
RATIONALE: The frontal, or coronal, plane separates front and back
portions. The sagittal plane divides left and right; the transverse plane
divides superior and inferior .
6. The ventral body cavity contains which of the following?
A) Cranial cavity and spinal cavity
B) Thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity
C) Pelvic cavity only
D) Dorsal cavity only
, B) Thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity
RATIONALE: The ventral cavity includes the thoracic and
abdominopelvic cavities. The dorsal cavity contains the cranial and spinal
cavities. The thoracic cavity holds the heart and lungs; the abdominopelvic
cavity holds digestive, urinary, and reproductive organs .
7. The heart is located primarily in which cavity?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Pelvic cavity
C) Vertebral cavity
D) Thoracic cavity
D) Thoracic cavity
RATIONALE: The heart lies in the mediastinum within the thoracic
cavity. The cranial cavity houses the brain; the vertebral cavity houses the
spinal cord; the pelvic cavity houses the bladder and reproductive organs .
8. Where can the urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs be
found?
A) Thoracic cavity
B) Mediastinum
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
RATIONALE: The urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs are
located in the pelvic cavity, which is the inferior portion of the
abdominopelvic cavity .
9. The term "supine" means:
A) Lying face down
B) Lying face up
C) Standing upright
D) Sitting position
