HESI A2 Examination: Anatomy &
Physiology
2024/2025 Verified Question Bank
500 Comprehensive Questions with Verified Rationales
ANATOMIC TERMINOLOGY
Q1: Which of the following terms refers to the back of the body or a body part?
A. Anterior
B. Ventral
C. Posterior
D. Medial
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Posterior (dorsal) refers to the back, while anterior (ventral) refers to the front.
SKELETAL SYSTEM
Q2: Which bone is known as the only 'floating bone' in the human body because it
does not articulate with any other bone?
A. Patella
B. Hyoid
C. Scapula
D. Clavicle
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The hyoid bone in the neck is held in place by muscles and ligaments but does not touch
another bone.
HESI A2 A&P - Page 1
,MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Q3: What is the functional unit of a skeletal muscle fiber?
A. Myofibril
B. Sarcomere
C. Sarcoplasmic reticulum
D. T-tubule
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The sarcomere is the segment between two Z-lines and is the basic contractile unit of muscle.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Q4: Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating heart rate,
breathing, and blood pressure?
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The medulla oblongata, part of the brainstem, controls vital autonomic functions.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Q5: Which gland is often referred to as the 'master gland' because it regulates the
activity of other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid
B. Adrenal
C. Pituitary
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) secretes hormones that control the thyroid, adrenals, and
reproductive organs.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Q6: Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?
A. Aorta
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Pulmonary artery
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Arteries carry blood *away* from the heart. The pulmonary artery is unique because it
carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
HESI A2 A&P - Page 2
,INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
Q7: Which layer of the epidermis is only found in thick skin (soles of feet and
palms of hands)?
A. Stratum basale
B. Stratum corneum
C. Stratum lucidum
D. Stratum spinosum
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Stratum lucidum is the clear, thin layer found specifically in thick skin areas.
ANATOMIC TERMINOLOGY
Q8: Which of the following terms refers to the back of the body or a body part?
A. Anterior
B. Ventral
C. Posterior
D. Medial
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Posterior (dorsal) refers to the back, while anterior (ventral) refers to the front.
SKELETAL SYSTEM
Q9: Which bone is known as the only 'floating bone' in the human body because it
does not articulate with any other bone?
A. Patella
B. Hyoid
C. Scapula
D. Clavicle
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The hyoid bone in the neck is held in place by muscles and ligaments but does not touch
another bone.
MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Q10: What is the functional unit of a skeletal muscle fiber?
A. Myofibril
B. Sarcomere
C. Sarcoplasmic reticulum
D. T-tubule
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The sarcomere is the segment between two Z-lines and is the basic contractile unit of muscle.
HESI A2 A&P - Page 3
, NERVOUS SYSTEM
Q11: Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating heart rate,
breathing, and blood pressure?
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The medulla oblongata, part of the brainstem, controls vital autonomic functions.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Q12: Which gland is often referred to as the 'master gland' because it regulates the
activity of other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid
B. Adrenal
C. Pituitary
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) secretes hormones that control the thyroid, adrenals, and
reproductive organs.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Q13: Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?
A. Aorta
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Pulmonary artery
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Arteries carry blood *away* from the heart. The pulmonary artery is unique because it
carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
HESI A2 A&P - Page 4
Physiology
2024/2025 Verified Question Bank
500 Comprehensive Questions with Verified Rationales
ANATOMIC TERMINOLOGY
Q1: Which of the following terms refers to the back of the body or a body part?
A. Anterior
B. Ventral
C. Posterior
D. Medial
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Posterior (dorsal) refers to the back, while anterior (ventral) refers to the front.
SKELETAL SYSTEM
Q2: Which bone is known as the only 'floating bone' in the human body because it
does not articulate with any other bone?
A. Patella
B. Hyoid
C. Scapula
D. Clavicle
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The hyoid bone in the neck is held in place by muscles and ligaments but does not touch
another bone.
HESI A2 A&P - Page 1
,MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Q3: What is the functional unit of a skeletal muscle fiber?
A. Myofibril
B. Sarcomere
C. Sarcoplasmic reticulum
D. T-tubule
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The sarcomere is the segment between two Z-lines and is the basic contractile unit of muscle.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Q4: Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating heart rate,
breathing, and blood pressure?
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The medulla oblongata, part of the brainstem, controls vital autonomic functions.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Q5: Which gland is often referred to as the 'master gland' because it regulates the
activity of other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid
B. Adrenal
C. Pituitary
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) secretes hormones that control the thyroid, adrenals, and
reproductive organs.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Q6: Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?
A. Aorta
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Pulmonary artery
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Arteries carry blood *away* from the heart. The pulmonary artery is unique because it
carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
HESI A2 A&P - Page 2
,INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
Q7: Which layer of the epidermis is only found in thick skin (soles of feet and
palms of hands)?
A. Stratum basale
B. Stratum corneum
C. Stratum lucidum
D. Stratum spinosum
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Stratum lucidum is the clear, thin layer found specifically in thick skin areas.
ANATOMIC TERMINOLOGY
Q8: Which of the following terms refers to the back of the body or a body part?
A. Anterior
B. Ventral
C. Posterior
D. Medial
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Posterior (dorsal) refers to the back, while anterior (ventral) refers to the front.
SKELETAL SYSTEM
Q9: Which bone is known as the only 'floating bone' in the human body because it
does not articulate with any other bone?
A. Patella
B. Hyoid
C. Scapula
D. Clavicle
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The hyoid bone in the neck is held in place by muscles and ligaments but does not touch
another bone.
MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Q10: What is the functional unit of a skeletal muscle fiber?
A. Myofibril
B. Sarcomere
C. Sarcoplasmic reticulum
D. T-tubule
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The sarcomere is the segment between two Z-lines and is the basic contractile unit of muscle.
HESI A2 A&P - Page 3
, NERVOUS SYSTEM
Q11: Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for regulating heart rate,
breathing, and blood pressure?
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Thalamus
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The medulla oblongata, part of the brainstem, controls vital autonomic functions.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Q12: Which gland is often referred to as the 'master gland' because it regulates the
activity of other endocrine glands?
A. Thyroid
B. Adrenal
C. Pituitary
D. Pancreas
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The pituitary gland (hypophysis) secretes hormones that control the thyroid, adrenals, and
reproductive organs.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Q13: Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?
A. Aorta
B. Pulmonary vein
C. Pulmonary artery
D. Superior vena cava
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Arteries carry blood *away* from the heart. The pulmonary artery is unique because it
carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
HESI A2 A&P - Page 4
