HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY | COMPLETE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS EXAM GUIDE
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 exam guide is designed for students preparing for the
HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology section. It includes 100 exam-style
questions with verified answers and detailed rationales covering all major
body systems. The HESI A2 A&P section contains approximately 30
multiple-choice questions to be completed in 25 minutes, but this guide
provides a broader review to ensure mastery of foundational concepts.
Each question mirrors the format and difficulty of the actual exam,
emphasizing critical thinking and application of anatomical and
physiological principles. This resource is ideal for self-assessment, targeted
review, and building confidence for test day.
,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.
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.
,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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
9. The term "supine" means:
A. Lying face down
B. Lying face up
C. Standing upright
D. Sitting position
B. Lying face up
RATIONALE: Supine refers to lying face up, while prone refers to lying
face down.
10. The dorsal body cavity includes what?
A. Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
B. Cranial and spinal cavities
C. Pelvic and abdominal cavities
D. Mediastinum and pleural cavities
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS EXAM GUIDE
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 exam guide is designed for students preparing for the
HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology section. It includes 100 exam-style
questions with verified answers and detailed rationales covering all major
body systems. The HESI A2 A&P section contains approximately 30
multiple-choice questions to be completed in 25 minutes, but this guide
provides a broader review to ensure mastery of foundational concepts.
Each question mirrors the format and difficulty of the actual exam,
emphasizing critical thinking and application of anatomical and
physiological principles. This resource is ideal for self-assessment, targeted
review, and building confidence for test day.
,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.
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.
,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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
9. The term "supine" means:
A. Lying face down
B. Lying face up
C. Standing upright
D. Sitting position
B. Lying face up
RATIONALE: Supine refers to lying face up, while prone refers to lying
face down.
10. The dorsal body cavity includes what?
A. Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
B. Cranial and spinal cavities
C. Pelvic and abdominal cavities
D. Mediastinum and pleural cavities
