,HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology Exam
200+ Practice Questions with Answers & In-Depth
Rationales
2026 Update | Versions 1 & 2
SECTION 1: ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY &
ORGANIZATION
Question 1
Which of the following correctly describes the anatomical position?
A) The body is lying face down with arms extended forward
B) The body is standing upright with feet together, arms at sides, and palms facing
forward
C) The body is standing upright with arms crossed over the chest
D) The body is lying face up with arms crossed over the abdomen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The anatomical position is the standardized reference position used in
anatomy and medicine. It requires the body to be standing upright, facing forward, with
feet parallel and slightly apart, arms hanging at the sides, and palms facing forward
(supinated). This position allows for consistent directional terminology regardless of the
body's actual position. Option A describes the prone position, while option D describes
the supine position. Option C is incorrect as the arms should be at the sides, not
crossed. Understanding the anatomical position is fundamental for accurately describing
body structures and their relationships to one another.
,Question 2
A cut that divides the body into equal right and left halves is called a:
A) Frontal section
B) Transverse section
C) Sagittal section
D) Midsagittal section
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A midsagittal (median) section divides the body into equal right and left
halves. A sagittal section divides the body into right and left portions but not necessarily
equal halves. A frontal (coronal) section divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions. A transverse (horizontal) section divides the body into superior and inferior
portions. Medical imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans utilize these anatomical
planes to visualize internal structures. The distinction between sagittal and midsagittal is
important when describing imaging findings or surgical approaches.
Question 3
The term "proximal" means:
A) Closer to the midline of the body
B) Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk
C) Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk
D) Toward the back of the body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Proximal refers to a structure that is closer to the point of attachment to the
trunk or the origin of a structure. This term is primarily used to describe locations on the
extremities. For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist. The opposite of proximal is
distal, which means farther from the point of attachment. Option A describes medial,
option B describes distal, and option D describes posterior. Understanding directional
terms is essential for accurately communicating anatomical locations in clinical settings
and documentation.
, Question 4
Which body cavity contains the brain?
A) Thoracic cavity
B) Abdominal cavity
C) Cranial cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The cranial cavity, located within the skull, contains the brain. It is part of the
dorsal body cavity, which also includes the vertebral cavity containing the spinal cord.
The thoracic cavity contains the heart and lungs. The abdominal cavity contains
digestive organs. The pelvic cavity contains reproductive organs and the urinary bladder.
The cranial cavity is protected by the bones of the skull and the meninges, which are
three layers of protective membranes. Understanding the major body cavities and their
contents is essential for clinical assessment and diagnostic procedures.
Question 5
The abdominopelvic region located in the upper right quadrant contains which of the
following organs?
A) Appendix
B) Spleen
C) Liver (right lobe)
D) Stomach
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The right upper quadrant (RUQ) of the abdominopelvic cavity contains the
right lobe of the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, head of the pancreas, right kidney and
adrenal gland, and parts of the ascending and transverse colon. The appendix is located
in the right lower quadrant (RLQ). The spleen and stomach are located in the left upper
quadrant (LUQ). Understanding abdominal quadrant organization helps healthcare
providers localize pain, tenderness, and organ pathology. The four-quadrant system is
commonly used in clinical assessment for rapid identification of potential organ
involvement.
200+ Practice Questions with Answers & In-Depth
Rationales
2026 Update | Versions 1 & 2
SECTION 1: ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY &
ORGANIZATION
Question 1
Which of the following correctly describes the anatomical position?
A) The body is lying face down with arms extended forward
B) The body is standing upright with feet together, arms at sides, and palms facing
forward
C) The body is standing upright with arms crossed over the chest
D) The body is lying face up with arms crossed over the abdomen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The anatomical position is the standardized reference position used in
anatomy and medicine. It requires the body to be standing upright, facing forward, with
feet parallel and slightly apart, arms hanging at the sides, and palms facing forward
(supinated). This position allows for consistent directional terminology regardless of the
body's actual position. Option A describes the prone position, while option D describes
the supine position. Option C is incorrect as the arms should be at the sides, not
crossed. Understanding the anatomical position is fundamental for accurately describing
body structures and their relationships to one another.
,Question 2
A cut that divides the body into equal right and left halves is called a:
A) Frontal section
B) Transverse section
C) Sagittal section
D) Midsagittal section
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A midsagittal (median) section divides the body into equal right and left
halves. A sagittal section divides the body into right and left portions but not necessarily
equal halves. A frontal (coronal) section divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions. A transverse (horizontal) section divides the body into superior and inferior
portions. Medical imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans utilize these anatomical
planes to visualize internal structures. The distinction between sagittal and midsagittal is
important when describing imaging findings or surgical approaches.
Question 3
The term "proximal" means:
A) Closer to the midline of the body
B) Farther from the point of attachment to the trunk
C) Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk
D) Toward the back of the body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Proximal refers to a structure that is closer to the point of attachment to the
trunk or the origin of a structure. This term is primarily used to describe locations on the
extremities. For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist. The opposite of proximal is
distal, which means farther from the point of attachment. Option A describes medial,
option B describes distal, and option D describes posterior. Understanding directional
terms is essential for accurately communicating anatomical locations in clinical settings
and documentation.
, Question 4
Which body cavity contains the brain?
A) Thoracic cavity
B) Abdominal cavity
C) Cranial cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The cranial cavity, located within the skull, contains the brain. It is part of the
dorsal body cavity, which also includes the vertebral cavity containing the spinal cord.
The thoracic cavity contains the heart and lungs. The abdominal cavity contains
digestive organs. The pelvic cavity contains reproductive organs and the urinary bladder.
The cranial cavity is protected by the bones of the skull and the meninges, which are
three layers of protective membranes. Understanding the major body cavities and their
contents is essential for clinical assessment and diagnostic procedures.
Question 5
The abdominopelvic region located in the upper right quadrant contains which of the
following organs?
A) Appendix
B) Spleen
C) Liver (right lobe)
D) Stomach
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The right upper quadrant (RUQ) of the abdominopelvic cavity contains the
right lobe of the liver, gallbladder, duodenum, head of the pancreas, right kidney and
adrenal gland, and parts of the ascending and transverse colon. The appendix is located
in the right lower quadrant (RLQ). The spleen and stomach are located in the left upper
quadrant (LUQ). Understanding abdominal quadrant organization helps healthcare
providers localize pain, tenderness, and organ pathology. The four-quadrant system is
commonly used in clinical assessment for rapid identification of potential organ
involvement.
