BCAK EXAM | COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS 2026/2027
Sphincter - ANS ✔✔a muscular ring that contracts to close the entrance or exit of an internal
passageway
spermatogenesis - ANS ✔✔sperm production
spermatocyte - ANS ✔✔a cell of the seminiferous tubules that is engaged in meiosis
spermatic cord - ANS ✔✔collectively, the spermatic vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels and the ductus
deferens extending between the testes and the proximal end of the inguinal canal.
Sperm - ANS ✔✔male gamete
somatotropin - ANS ✔✔growth hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
(adenohypophysis) in response to growth hormone - releasing hormone
somatomedins - ANS ✔✔substances stimulating tissue growth; released by the liver after the secretion
of growth hormone; AKA insulin-like growth factors
somatic nervous system - ANS ✔✔the efferent division in the nervous system that innervates skeletal
muscles
somatic - ANS ✔✔pertaining to the body
solvent - ANS ✔✔the fluid components of a solution
solution - ANS ✔✔a fluid containing dissolved materials
solute - ANS ✔✔any materials dissolved in a solution
soft palate - ANS ✔✔the fleshy posterior extension of the hard palate, separating the nasopharynx from
the oral cavity.
smooth muscle tissue - ANS ✔✔muscle tissue in the walls of many visceral organs; characterized as non
striated, involuntary muscle
smooth endoplasmic reticulum - ANS ✔✔A membranous organelle in which wiped and carbohydrate
synthesis and storage occur
small intestine - ANS ✔✔the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; the digestive tract between the stomach
and large intestine
sliding filament theory - ANS ✔✔the concept that a sarcomere shortens as the thigh and thin filaments
slide past one another
,skeletal muscle tissue - ANS ✔✔a contractile tissue dominated by skeletal muscle fibres; characterized as
striated, voluntary muscle
sinusoid - ANS ✔✔an exchange vessel that is similar in general structure to a fenestrated capillary. The
twi differ in size (sinusoids are larger and more irregular in cross sections), continuity (sinusoids have
gaps between endothelial cells), and support (sinusoids have thin basement membranes if present at all)
sinus - ANS ✔✔a chamber or hollow on tissue; a large dilated vein.
sinoatrial node - ANS ✔✔the natural pacemaker of the heart located in the wall of the right atrium
simple epithelium - ANS ✔✔an epithelium containing a single layer of cells superficial to the basement
membrane
sign - ANS ✔✔the visible objective evidence of the presence of a disease
symptom - ANS ✔✔an abnormality of function as a result of disease; subjective experience of patient
sigmoid colon - ANS ✔✔the S shaped region of the colon between the descending colon and the rectum
sesamoid bone - ANS ✔✔a bone that forms within a tendon
serum - ANS ✔✔the ground substance of blood plasma from which clotting agents have been removed
serous secretion - ANS ✔✔a watery secretion that contains a high concentration of enzymes produced
by serous cells
serotonin - ANS ✔✔a neurotransmitter in the CNS; a substance that enhances inflammation and is
released by activated mast cells and basophils
serous membrane - ANS ✔✔a squamous epithelial and the underlying loose connective tissue; the lining
of the pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal cavities; AKA serosa
serous cell - ANS ✔✔a cell that produces a serous secretion
septa - ANS ✔✔partitions that subdivide an organ
sensible perspiration - ANS ✔✔water loss due to secretion by sweat glands
senescence - ANS ✔✔aging
seminiferous tubules - ANS ✔✔coiled tubules where sperm production occurs in the testes
seminal glands - ANS ✔✔glands of the male reproductive tract that produce roughly 60% of the volume
of semen; AKA seminal vesicles
,semilunar valve - ANS ✔✔a three cusped valve guarding the exit from one of the cardiac ventricles; the
pulmonary and aortic valves
semicircular ducts - ANS ✔✔the tubular components of the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear;
respond to rotational movements of the head
semen - ANS ✔✔the fluid ejaculate that contains sperm and the secretions of accessory glands of the
male reproductive tract
sectional plane - ANS ✔✔a view or slice along a two dimensional flat surface
Secretin - ANS ✔✔a hormone secreted bu the duodenum, that stimulates the production of buffers by
the pancreas and inhibits gastric activity
secondary sex characteristics - ANS ✔✔physical characteristics that appear at puberty in response to sex
hormones but are not involved in the production of gametes
sebum - ANS ✔✔a waxy secretion that coats the surface of hairs
sebaceous gland - ANS ✔✔glands that secrete sebum; normally associated with hair follicles
scrotum - ANS ✔✔the loose fitting, fleshy pouch that encloses the testes of the male
sclerosis - ANS ✔✔a hardening and thickening that commonly occurs secondary to tissue inflammation
sclera - ANS ✔✔the fibrous outer layer of the eye that forms the white area of the anterior surface; a
portion of the fibrous layer of the eye
scientific method - ANS ✔✔a system of advancing knowledge that begins by proposing a hypothesis to
answer a question, then testing that hypothesis with data collected through observation and
experimentation
sciatic nerve - ANS ✔✔a nerve innervating the posteromedial portion son the thigh and leg
Schwann cell - ANS ✔✔neuroglia responsible for the neurolemma that surrounds axons in the PNS
scar tissue - ANS ✔✔the thick, collagenous tissue that forms at an injury site
scala vestiboli - ANS ✔✔the perilymph-filled chamber of the internal ear, adjacent to the vestibular
membrane; pressure waves are induced by movement of the stapes at the oval window. AKA vestibular
duct
scala tympani - ANS ✔✔the perilymph-filled chamber of the internal ear, adjacent to the basilar
membrane; pressure changes there distort the round window; AKA tympanic duct
scala media - ANS ✔✔the central membranous tube within the cochlea that is filled with endolymph and
contains the spiral organ (organ of corti) AKA cochlear duct
, sarcoplasm - ANS ✔✔the cytoplasm of a muscle cell
sarcolemma - ANS ✔✔the plasma membrane of a muscle cell
sarcomere - ANS ✔✔the smallest contractile unit of a striated muscle cell
saltatory propagation - ANS ✔✔the relatively rapid propagation of an action potential between
successive nodes of a myelinated axon
salt - ANS ✔✔an inorganic compound containing a cation other than hydrogen and an anion other than
hydroxide
sagittal plane - ANS ✔✔a vertical plane that divides the body into left and right portions
saccule - ANS ✔✔a portion of the vestibular apparatus of the internal ear; contains a macula important
for providing sensations of gravity and linear acceleration in a vertical dimension
radiodensity - ANS ✔✔the relative resistance to the passage of x-rays
radiographic techniques - ANS ✔✔methods of visualizing internal structures by using various forms of
radiational energy
radiopaque - ANS ✔✔having a high radiodensity
rami communicantes - ANS ✔✔axon bundles that link the spinal nerves with the ganglia of the
sympathetic chain
ramus/rami - ANS ✔✔branch/branches
raphe - ANS ✔✔a seam
rectus - ANS ✔✔straight
rectum - ANS ✔✔the inferior 15 cm of the digestive tract
receptive field - ANS ✔✔the area monitored by a single sensory receptor
reduction - ANS ✔✔the loss of oxygen, or the gains of hydrogen or electrons
reductional division - ANS ✔✔the first meiotic division, which reduces the chromosome numbers from
46 to 23
reflex - ANS ✔✔a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus
reflex arc - ANS ✔✔the receptor, sensory neutrons, motor neurone, and effector involved in a particular
reflex; interneurons may be present, depending on the reflex considered
& ANSWERS 2026/2027
Sphincter - ANS ✔✔a muscular ring that contracts to close the entrance or exit of an internal
passageway
spermatogenesis - ANS ✔✔sperm production
spermatocyte - ANS ✔✔a cell of the seminiferous tubules that is engaged in meiosis
spermatic cord - ANS ✔✔collectively, the spermatic vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels and the ductus
deferens extending between the testes and the proximal end of the inguinal canal.
Sperm - ANS ✔✔male gamete
somatotropin - ANS ✔✔growth hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
(adenohypophysis) in response to growth hormone - releasing hormone
somatomedins - ANS ✔✔substances stimulating tissue growth; released by the liver after the secretion
of growth hormone; AKA insulin-like growth factors
somatic nervous system - ANS ✔✔the efferent division in the nervous system that innervates skeletal
muscles
somatic - ANS ✔✔pertaining to the body
solvent - ANS ✔✔the fluid components of a solution
solution - ANS ✔✔a fluid containing dissolved materials
solute - ANS ✔✔any materials dissolved in a solution
soft palate - ANS ✔✔the fleshy posterior extension of the hard palate, separating the nasopharynx from
the oral cavity.
smooth muscle tissue - ANS ✔✔muscle tissue in the walls of many visceral organs; characterized as non
striated, involuntary muscle
smooth endoplasmic reticulum - ANS ✔✔A membranous organelle in which wiped and carbohydrate
synthesis and storage occur
small intestine - ANS ✔✔the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; the digestive tract between the stomach
and large intestine
sliding filament theory - ANS ✔✔the concept that a sarcomere shortens as the thigh and thin filaments
slide past one another
,skeletal muscle tissue - ANS ✔✔a contractile tissue dominated by skeletal muscle fibres; characterized as
striated, voluntary muscle
sinusoid - ANS ✔✔an exchange vessel that is similar in general structure to a fenestrated capillary. The
twi differ in size (sinusoids are larger and more irregular in cross sections), continuity (sinusoids have
gaps between endothelial cells), and support (sinusoids have thin basement membranes if present at all)
sinus - ANS ✔✔a chamber or hollow on tissue; a large dilated vein.
sinoatrial node - ANS ✔✔the natural pacemaker of the heart located in the wall of the right atrium
simple epithelium - ANS ✔✔an epithelium containing a single layer of cells superficial to the basement
membrane
sign - ANS ✔✔the visible objective evidence of the presence of a disease
symptom - ANS ✔✔an abnormality of function as a result of disease; subjective experience of patient
sigmoid colon - ANS ✔✔the S shaped region of the colon between the descending colon and the rectum
sesamoid bone - ANS ✔✔a bone that forms within a tendon
serum - ANS ✔✔the ground substance of blood plasma from which clotting agents have been removed
serous secretion - ANS ✔✔a watery secretion that contains a high concentration of enzymes produced
by serous cells
serotonin - ANS ✔✔a neurotransmitter in the CNS; a substance that enhances inflammation and is
released by activated mast cells and basophils
serous membrane - ANS ✔✔a squamous epithelial and the underlying loose connective tissue; the lining
of the pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal cavities; AKA serosa
serous cell - ANS ✔✔a cell that produces a serous secretion
septa - ANS ✔✔partitions that subdivide an organ
sensible perspiration - ANS ✔✔water loss due to secretion by sweat glands
senescence - ANS ✔✔aging
seminiferous tubules - ANS ✔✔coiled tubules where sperm production occurs in the testes
seminal glands - ANS ✔✔glands of the male reproductive tract that produce roughly 60% of the volume
of semen; AKA seminal vesicles
,semilunar valve - ANS ✔✔a three cusped valve guarding the exit from one of the cardiac ventricles; the
pulmonary and aortic valves
semicircular ducts - ANS ✔✔the tubular components of the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear;
respond to rotational movements of the head
semen - ANS ✔✔the fluid ejaculate that contains sperm and the secretions of accessory glands of the
male reproductive tract
sectional plane - ANS ✔✔a view or slice along a two dimensional flat surface
Secretin - ANS ✔✔a hormone secreted bu the duodenum, that stimulates the production of buffers by
the pancreas and inhibits gastric activity
secondary sex characteristics - ANS ✔✔physical characteristics that appear at puberty in response to sex
hormones but are not involved in the production of gametes
sebum - ANS ✔✔a waxy secretion that coats the surface of hairs
sebaceous gland - ANS ✔✔glands that secrete sebum; normally associated with hair follicles
scrotum - ANS ✔✔the loose fitting, fleshy pouch that encloses the testes of the male
sclerosis - ANS ✔✔a hardening and thickening that commonly occurs secondary to tissue inflammation
sclera - ANS ✔✔the fibrous outer layer of the eye that forms the white area of the anterior surface; a
portion of the fibrous layer of the eye
scientific method - ANS ✔✔a system of advancing knowledge that begins by proposing a hypothesis to
answer a question, then testing that hypothesis with data collected through observation and
experimentation
sciatic nerve - ANS ✔✔a nerve innervating the posteromedial portion son the thigh and leg
Schwann cell - ANS ✔✔neuroglia responsible for the neurolemma that surrounds axons in the PNS
scar tissue - ANS ✔✔the thick, collagenous tissue that forms at an injury site
scala vestiboli - ANS ✔✔the perilymph-filled chamber of the internal ear, adjacent to the vestibular
membrane; pressure waves are induced by movement of the stapes at the oval window. AKA vestibular
duct
scala tympani - ANS ✔✔the perilymph-filled chamber of the internal ear, adjacent to the basilar
membrane; pressure changes there distort the round window; AKA tympanic duct
scala media - ANS ✔✔the central membranous tube within the cochlea that is filled with endolymph and
contains the spiral organ (organ of corti) AKA cochlear duct
, sarcoplasm - ANS ✔✔the cytoplasm of a muscle cell
sarcolemma - ANS ✔✔the plasma membrane of a muscle cell
sarcomere - ANS ✔✔the smallest contractile unit of a striated muscle cell
saltatory propagation - ANS ✔✔the relatively rapid propagation of an action potential between
successive nodes of a myelinated axon
salt - ANS ✔✔an inorganic compound containing a cation other than hydrogen and an anion other than
hydroxide
sagittal plane - ANS ✔✔a vertical plane that divides the body into left and right portions
saccule - ANS ✔✔a portion of the vestibular apparatus of the internal ear; contains a macula important
for providing sensations of gravity and linear acceleration in a vertical dimension
radiodensity - ANS ✔✔the relative resistance to the passage of x-rays
radiographic techniques - ANS ✔✔methods of visualizing internal structures by using various forms of
radiational energy
radiopaque - ANS ✔✔having a high radiodensity
rami communicantes - ANS ✔✔axon bundles that link the spinal nerves with the ganglia of the
sympathetic chain
ramus/rami - ANS ✔✔branch/branches
raphe - ANS ✔✔a seam
rectus - ANS ✔✔straight
rectum - ANS ✔✔the inferior 15 cm of the digestive tract
receptive field - ANS ✔✔the area monitored by a single sensory receptor
reduction - ANS ✔✔the loss of oxygen, or the gains of hydrogen or electrons
reductional division - ANS ✔✔the first meiotic division, which reduces the chromosome numbers from
46 to 23
reflex - ANS ✔✔a rapid, automatic response to a stimulus
reflex arc - ANS ✔✔the receptor, sensory neutrons, motor neurone, and effector involved in a particular
reflex; interneurons may be present, depending on the reflex considered
