HESI A2 A&P Questions & Answers Updated 2026/2027 – HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology Exam Review, BIO 201, Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 Study Guide – Instant Download

Get ready for HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology with this comprehensive, exam-focused study resource covering essential Human Anatomy and Physiology concepts, body systems, structures, functions, terminology, and high-yield review topics. This HESI A2 A&P study resource is designed to help nursing students, pre-nursing students, and healthcare program applicants review important Anatomy & Physiology concepts in a convenient question-and-answer format. The material covers a broad range of HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology topics, including anatomical terminology, body planes, body cavities, skeletal anatomy, muscular anatomy, nervous system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, lymphatic and immune systems, integumentary system, nutrition, tissues, cells, and major organs. KEY HESI A2 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY TOPICS COVERED: ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY & BODY ORGANIZATION • Anterior and posterior • Superior and inferior • Medial and lateral • Proximal and distal • Deep and superficial • Sagittal section • Transverse section • Coronal/frontal plane • Dorsal and ventral body cavities • Thoracic cavity • Abdominal cavity • Pelvic cavity • Mediastinum • Diaphragm • Anatomical position SKELETAL SYSTEM • Femur • Humerus • Radius • Skull • Mandible • Maxilla • Zygomatic bone • Lacrimal bone • Axial skeleton • Long bones • Epiphysis • Diaphysis • Compact bone • Spongy bone • Bone marrow • Mineral storage • Calcium • Phosphorus • Vitamin D • Skeletal system functions • Hemopoiesis • Bone support and protection MUSCULAR SYSTEM • Skeletal muscles • Voluntary muscles • Quadriceps femoris • Anterior thigh muscles • Muscle contraction • Tendons • Muscle and skeletal system interaction • Calcium and muscle contraction • Voluntary movement • Smooth muscle • Cardiac muscle • Peristalsis NERVOUS SYSTEM • Central nervous system • Peripheral nervous system • Somatic nervous system • Autonomic nervous system • Sympathetic nervous system • Parasympathetic nervous system • Afferent neurons • Efferent neurons • Motor neurons • Sensory pathways • Neurons • Neuroglia • Schwann cells • Myelin sheath • Femoral nerve • Radial nerve • Ulnar nerve • Sciatic nerve • Spinal cord • Medulla oblongata • Corpus callosum • Frontal lobe • Parietal lobe • Temporal lobe • Occipital lobe • Brain hemispheres • Voluntary movement • Autonomic functions ENDOCRINE SYSTEM • Endocrine glands • Hormones • Pituitary gland • Hypothalamus • Thyroid gland • Parathyroid hormone • Adrenal glands • TSH • T4 • FSH • LH • ADH • TRH • Somatotropin • Cortisol • Aldosterone • Growth regulation • Metabolism • Electrolyte regulation • Reproductive hormones • Endocrine and reproductive system interaction CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM • Heart anatomy • Sinoatrial node • Intrinsic heart rhythm • Mitral valve • Bicuspid valve • Pulmonary valve • Aortic valve • Right atrium • Left atrium • Left ventricle • Right ventricle • Coronary arteries • Arteries • Veins • Vena cavae • Blood circulation • Oxygenated blood • Deoxygenated blood • Blood pressure • Pulse • Heart valves • Valve stenosis • Edema • Cardiac function RESPIRATORY SYSTEM • Lungs • Alveoli • Gas exchange • Oxygen • Carbon dioxide • Trachea • Bronchioles • Pleura • Intercostal muscles • Thoracic cavity • Respiration • Intra-alveolar pressure • Respiratory mechanics DIGESTIVE SYSTEM • Mouth • Oral cavity • Esophagus • Stomach • Small intestine • Peristalsis • Pepsin • Amylase • Lactase • Enzymes • Protein digestion • Starch digestion • Lactose digestion • Chyme • Gallbladder • Bile • Nutrient absorption • Digestive and urinary system interaction URINARY SYSTEM • Kidneys • Ureters • Urinary bladder • Urethra • Urine • Electrolyte balance • Fluid balance • Water regulation • Waste elimination • Urinary and reproductive system relationship REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM • Ovaries • Female reproductive organs • Male reproductive system • Urethra • Reproductive hormones • Sexual development • Secondary sex characteristics • Endocrine and reproductive system interaction LYMPHATIC & IMMUNE SYSTEM • Lymphatic system • Spleen • Lymphocytes • B cells • Antibodies • Macrophages • Monocytes • Neutrophils • Basophils • Leukocytes • Pathogens • Primary defense • Secondary defense • Specific immunity • Nonspecific immunity • Inflammation • Histamine • Mucus • Cilia • Immune response INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM • Skin • Epidermis • Stratum corneum • Eccrine glands • Apocrine glands • Sebaceous glands • Vitamin D production • Calcium regulation • Water-loss prevention • Skin receptors • Touch sensation • Temperature regulation TISSUES & CELLS • Cell as basic unit of life • Epithelial tissue • Connective tissue • Muscle tissue • Nervous tissue • Neuroglia • Simple squamous epithelium • Simple columnar epithelium • Stratified squamous epithelium • Extracellular matrix • Mitosis • Meiosis • Gonadal cell division • Tissue organization • Cellular structures NUTRITION & VITAMINS • Carbohydrates • Proteins • Fats • Vitamins • Minerals • Water • Vitamin D deficiency • Rickets • Vitamin C deficiency • Scurvy • Thiamine deficiency • Beriberi • Iodine • Thyroid function • Copper • Red blood cell formation • Electrolytes • Sodium • Potassium • Calcium • Magnesium HIGH-YIELD HESI A2 A&P CONCEPTS INCLUDED: • Quadriceps femoris is an anterior thigh muscle. • A car headrest helps limit excessive neck hyperextension during certain collisions. • Whiplash can involve stretching or injury of spinal ligaments. • Peristalsis moves food through the digestive tract. • Vitamins do not provide energy in the same way carbohydrates, fats, and proteins do. • Schwann cells form myelin around peripheral nerve fibers. • The nervous system coordinates muscular responses. • Femoral, radial, and ulnar nerves are associated with the somatic nervous system. • Lumbar disc problems can produce pain along the sciatic distribution. • The femur is the thigh bone. • Ovaries are reproductive organs. • Stomach acidity, mucus, and cilia contribute to innate defenses. • The endocrine system contributes to growth regulation. • The mitral valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle. • Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets and abnormal bone development. • The lymphatic system returns excess interstitial fluid to the circulation. • Parathyroid hormone is important in calcium regulation and vitamin D activation. • The cochlea is a medial structure of the inner ear. • Normal resting pulse and blood-pressure values are commonly reviewed in HESI A2 preparation. • A sagittal plane divides the body into right and left portions. • Pepsin assists with protein digestion. • The esophagus connects the pharynx and stomach. • Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production. • The cheekbones are lateral to the nose. • B lymphocytes are involved in antibody production. • Alveoli are the primary site of pulmonary gas exchange. • Intercostal muscles contribute to expansion and contraction of the thorax. • Esophageal peristalsis moves food toward the stomach. • The corpus callosum connects the two cerebral hemispheres. • Skin receptors communicate sensory information to the nervous system. • Pulmonary and aortic valves regulate blood leaving the ventricles. • Arteries are part of the cardiovascular system. • Inflammation is an important innate immune response. • Bones store minerals including calcium and phosphorus. • The vena cavae return systemic venous blood to the right atrium. • Thiamine deficiency can cause beriberi. • Serotonin is involved in regulation of mood, appetite, and sleep. • The occipital lobe is located posteriorly in the brain. • A transverse plane divides the body into superior and inferior portions. • Amylase begins carbohydrate digestion by breaking down starch. • The spleen is part of the lymphatic system. • The dorsal body cavity is posterior to the ventral cavity. • The integumentary system helps prevent excessive water loss. • T4 is a major thyroid hormone. • A goiter can interfere with swallowing or breathing because of enlargement near the trachea and esophagus. • Peristalsis primarily involves smooth muscle. • The parietal lobe contributes to sensory integration and spatial perception. • The adrenal glands are located superior to the kidneys. • The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver. • The urinary system helps regulate fluid and electrolyte balance. • Coronary arteries supply the heart muscle. • Vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy. • Skeletal muscles move bones through contraction and tendon attachment. • The medulla oblongata contains vital centers involved in respiration and cardiovascular regulation. • Hormones act as chemical messengers affecting target cells. • Monocytes can develop into macrophages. • Neutrophils are important phagocytic leukocytes. • The sinoatrial node initiates the normal intrinsic cardiac rhythm. • Calcium plays a major role in muscle contraction. • The pelvic cavity contains the urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs. • The diaphragm separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. • Epithelial tissue commonly covers body surfaces and lines cavities and organs. • Connective tissue provides support and structural framework. • Cells are the basic units of life. • Meiosis occurs in the gonads to produce gametes. • The heel has a particularly thick stratum corneum. • Eccrine glands produce watery sweat. • Skin participates in vitamin D production. • The mandible is the movable bone of the skull. • Sodium is a major electrolyte involved in fluid balance. • Skeletal muscles are voluntary because they are generally under conscious control. • Motor/efferent neurons carry impulses away from the CNS. • The hypothalamus links nervous and endocrine regulation and contributes to homeostasis. WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS RESOURCE? This HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology study material is useful for: • HESI A2 students • Nursing school applicants • Pre-nursing students • Nursing entrance exam candidates • Healthcare program applicants • Allied health students • BIO 201 students • Human Anatomy & Physiology students • Students reviewing A&P before the HESI • Students looking for concentrated Anatomy & Physiology review • Students preparing for nursing entrance exams • Students who want to reinforce body-system terminology and functions WHY THIS HESI A2 A&P RESOURCE IS USEFUL Anatomy and Physiology is one of the major areas students encounter when preparing for the HESI A2. This resource brings together high-yield concepts across multiple body systems, allowing students to review terminology, structures, functions, physiological processes, and common relationships between organ systems. It can be used as a supplemental study resource alongside class notes, textbooks, instructor materials, and other legitimate preparation resources. UPDATED FOR 2026/2027 • HESI A2 A&P • ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY • BIO 201 • HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 1 • EXAM REVIEW • STUDY GUIDE • INSTANT DOWNLOAD Educational disclaimer: This resource is intended for educational study and exam preparation. It is not an official HESI/Evolve product and is not represented as a guaranteed reproduction of any live examination.