Page 1 of 87
SEELEY'S ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES LATEST EDITION 2026 -2027
250 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
PART 1: ORGANIZATION OF THE HUMAN BODY
Chapter 1: The Human Organism
1. The study of the structure of the human body is called:
A) Physiology
B) Anatomy
C) Histology
D) Cytology
Answer: B
Anatomy is the scientific discipline that investigates the structure of the body.
Physiology is the study of the functions of the body. Histology is the study of tissues,
and cytology is the study of cells.
2. The maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment is called:
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Responsiveness
D) Growth
Answer: B
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Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment. It is
essential for survival and involves negative feedback mechanisms that regulate body
temperature, blood glucose, pH, and other variables.
3. A negative feedback mechanism:
A) Amplifies the original stimulus
B) Reverses the original stimulus
C) Has no effect on the original stimulus
D) Increases the original stimulus
Answer: B
Negative feedback mechanisms reverse the original stimulus to maintain homeostasis.
For example, when body temperature rises, negative feedback mechanisms promote
cooling. Positive feedback mechanisms amplify the stimulus.
4. Which body cavity contains the heart and lungs?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Answer: B
The thoracic cavity contains the heart, lungs, and other structures of the chest. The
cranial cavity contains the brain. The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs. The
pelvic cavity contains reproductive and excretory organs.
5. The anatomical position is characterized by:
A) Lying face down
B) Standing erect with arms at the sides and palms facing forward
C) Sitting with legs crossed
D) Lying face up
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Answer: B
The anatomical position is standing erect with the face directed forward, arms at the
sides, and palms facing forward. This standard position is used as a reference point for
anatomical descriptions.
6. Which serous membrane covers the surface of the lungs?
A) Pericardium
B) Pleura
C) Peritoneum
D) Meninges
Answer: B
The pleura is the serous membrane that covers the lungs (visceral pleura) and lines the
thoracic cavity (parietal pleura). The pericardium surrounds the heart. The peritoneum
lines the abdominal cavity. The meninges cover the brain and spinal cord.
7. The study of the functions of the human body is called:
A) Anatomy
B) Physiology
C) Histology
D) Embryology
Answer: B
Physiology is the study of the functions of the body, including how organs and systems
work and how they are regulated.
8. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of life?
A) Organization
B) Metabolism
C) Responsiveness
D) Immortality
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Answer: D
The characteristics of life include organization, metabolism, responsiveness, growth,
development, reproduction, and evolution. Immortality is not a characteristic of life.
9. The mediastinum is:
A) The cavity that contains the heart
B) The membrane that covers the lungs
C) The cavity that contains the brain
D) The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
Answer: A
The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity that contains the
heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels. It separates the left and
right pleural cavities.
10. Mesenteries are:
A) Membranes that cover the lungs
B) Membranes that hold abdominal organs in place
C) Membranes that line the heart
D) Membranes that cover the brain
Answer: B
Mesenteries are serous membranes that hold abdominal organs in place and provide a
route for blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels to reach the organs.
Chapter 2: The Chemical Basis of Life
11. Which of the following is NOT one of the four major classes of organic
molecules in the body?
SEELEY'S ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES LATEST EDITION 2026 -2027
250 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
PART 1: ORGANIZATION OF THE HUMAN BODY
Chapter 1: The Human Organism
1. The study of the structure of the human body is called:
A) Physiology
B) Anatomy
C) Histology
D) Cytology
Answer: B
Anatomy is the scientific discipline that investigates the structure of the body.
Physiology is the study of the functions of the body. Histology is the study of tissues,
and cytology is the study of cells.
2. The maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment is called:
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Responsiveness
D) Growth
Answer: B
, Page 2 of 87
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment. It is
essential for survival and involves negative feedback mechanisms that regulate body
temperature, blood glucose, pH, and other variables.
3. A negative feedback mechanism:
A) Amplifies the original stimulus
B) Reverses the original stimulus
C) Has no effect on the original stimulus
D) Increases the original stimulus
Answer: B
Negative feedback mechanisms reverse the original stimulus to maintain homeostasis.
For example, when body temperature rises, negative feedback mechanisms promote
cooling. Positive feedback mechanisms amplify the stimulus.
4. Which body cavity contains the heart and lungs?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Answer: B
The thoracic cavity contains the heart, lungs, and other structures of the chest. The
cranial cavity contains the brain. The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs. The
pelvic cavity contains reproductive and excretory organs.
5. The anatomical position is characterized by:
A) Lying face down
B) Standing erect with arms at the sides and palms facing forward
C) Sitting with legs crossed
D) Lying face up
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Answer: B
The anatomical position is standing erect with the face directed forward, arms at the
sides, and palms facing forward. This standard position is used as a reference point for
anatomical descriptions.
6. Which serous membrane covers the surface of the lungs?
A) Pericardium
B) Pleura
C) Peritoneum
D) Meninges
Answer: B
The pleura is the serous membrane that covers the lungs (visceral pleura) and lines the
thoracic cavity (parietal pleura). The pericardium surrounds the heart. The peritoneum
lines the abdominal cavity. The meninges cover the brain and spinal cord.
7. The study of the functions of the human body is called:
A) Anatomy
B) Physiology
C) Histology
D) Embryology
Answer: B
Physiology is the study of the functions of the body, including how organs and systems
work and how they are regulated.
8. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of life?
A) Organization
B) Metabolism
C) Responsiveness
D) Immortality
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Answer: D
The characteristics of life include organization, metabolism, responsiveness, growth,
development, reproduction, and evolution. Immortality is not a characteristic of life.
9. The mediastinum is:
A) The cavity that contains the heart
B) The membrane that covers the lungs
C) The cavity that contains the brain
D) The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
Answer: A
The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity that contains the
heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels. It separates the left and
right pleural cavities.
10. Mesenteries are:
A) Membranes that cover the lungs
B) Membranes that hold abdominal organs in place
C) Membranes that line the heart
D) Membranes that cover the brain
Answer: B
Mesenteries are serous membranes that hold abdominal organs in place and provide a
route for blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels to reach the organs.
Chapter 2: The Chemical Basis of Life
11. Which of the following is NOT one of the four major classes of organic
molecules in the body?
