1|Page
HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
2026| ACTUAL EXAM SET WITH
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
What is histology?- correct-answer -The study of tissues
What is a tissue?- correct-answer -A group of cells that act together to perform a
specific function.
What bones make the os coxae?- correct-answer -fused ilium
ischium
pubis
What bones make up the lower extremities?- correct-answer -femur
,2|Page
tibia
fibula
tarsals (ankle bones)
metatarsals (foot bones)
phalanges (toe bones)
How do muscles make movement?- correct-answer -Contraction in response to
nervous stimulation.
What occurs in muscle fibers during contraction?- correct-answer -Myosin & actin
filaments slide together.
What structures make up muscle cells?- correct-answer -Myofibrils made up of
sarcomeres.
,3|Page
What must be present for a muscle cell to contract?- correct-answer -Calcium and
ATP
What does nervous stimulation from motor neurons cause in the muscles?-
correct-answer -Release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
What is the function of calcium in muscle contraction?- correct-answer -Attach to
inhibitory proteins on the actin filaments of the muscle cell, moving them aside.
This forms cross bridges between actin and myosin filaments.
Why are the skeletal muscles of the muscular system considered voluntary?-
correct-answer -Because they are under conscious control.
How do skeletal muscles work?- correct-answer -In pairs: the prime mover and
the antagonist.
, 4|Page
What is the function of the prime mover?- correct-answer -The muscle that
executes a given movement.
What is the function of the antagonist?- correct-answer -The muscles that
executes the opposite movement of the prime mover.
What are synergists?- correct-answer -Muscles that work together with the prime
mover.
How are muscles classified?- correct-answer -According to the movements they
elicit
HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
2026| ACTUAL EXAM SET WITH
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
What is histology?- correct-answer -The study of tissues
What is a tissue?- correct-answer -A group of cells that act together to perform a
specific function.
What bones make the os coxae?- correct-answer -fused ilium
ischium
pubis
What bones make up the lower extremities?- correct-answer -femur
,2|Page
tibia
fibula
tarsals (ankle bones)
metatarsals (foot bones)
phalanges (toe bones)
How do muscles make movement?- correct-answer -Contraction in response to
nervous stimulation.
What occurs in muscle fibers during contraction?- correct-answer -Myosin & actin
filaments slide together.
What structures make up muscle cells?- correct-answer -Myofibrils made up of
sarcomeres.
,3|Page
What must be present for a muscle cell to contract?- correct-answer -Calcium and
ATP
What does nervous stimulation from motor neurons cause in the muscles?-
correct-answer -Release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
What is the function of calcium in muscle contraction?- correct-answer -Attach to
inhibitory proteins on the actin filaments of the muscle cell, moving them aside.
This forms cross bridges between actin and myosin filaments.
Why are the skeletal muscles of the muscular system considered voluntary?-
correct-answer -Because they are under conscious control.
How do skeletal muscles work?- correct-answer -In pairs: the prime mover and
the antagonist.
, 4|Page
What is the function of the prime mover?- correct-answer -The muscle that
executes a given movement.
What is the function of the antagonist?- correct-answer -The muscles that
executes the opposite movement of the prime mover.
What are synergists?- correct-answer -Muscles that work together with the prime
mover.
How are muscles classified?- correct-answer -According to the movements they
elicit
