Anatomy & Physiology 2e, OpenStax,
2026/2027– Instructor Answer Guide with
Complete Solution
Q1 The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one...
The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another is called:
A) Physiology
B) Histology
C) Anatomy CORRECT
D) Cytology
Rationale
Anatomy is the study of structure; physiology is the study of function. Histology is the study of tissues,
and cytology is the study of cells .
Q2 The term "gross anatomy" refers to the study of:
The term "gross anatomy" refers to the study of:
A) Structures that can be seen with the naked eye CORRECT
B) Structures that require a microscope to be seen
C) The chemical basis of life
D) The development of an organism
Rationale
Gross anatomy examines large structures visible without magnification, unlike microscopic anatomy
(histology/cytology) .
Page 1
,Q3 The correct hierarchical order of organization from simplest to most complex is:
The correct hierarchical order of organization from simplest to most complex is:
A) Cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism CORRECT
B) Tissue, cell, organ, organ system, organism
C) Organ, tissue, cell, organ system, organism
D) Cell, organ, tissue, organ system, organism
Rationale
The structural levels build progressively: cells form tissues, tissues form organs, organs form organ
systems, and systems form the organism .
Q4 The ability of the body to maintain stable internal conditions despite...
The ability of the body to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes is called:
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis CORRECT
C) Adaptation
D) Evolution
Rationale
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment, regulated by feedback
mechanisms .
Q5 The anatomical term for "toward the front of the body" is:
The anatomical term for "toward the front of the body" is:
A) Superior
B) Inferior
C) Anterior (ventral) CORRECT
D) Posterior (dorsal)
Page 2
,Rationale
Anterior means toward the front; posterior is toward the back. Superior is toward the head; inferior is
toward the feet .
Q6 Which directional term means "toward the midline of the body"?
Which directional term means "toward the midline of the body"?
A) Lateral
B) Medial CORRECT
C) Proximal
D) Distal
Rationale
Medial means toward the midline; lateral means away from the midline. Proximal and distal refer to
attachment points .
Q7 The body plane that divides the body into left and right halves is the:
The body plane that divides the body into left and right halves is the:
A) Frontal plane
B) Transverse plane
C) Sagittal plane CORRECT
D) Coronal plane
Rationale
Sagittal (median) planes divide the body into left and right. Frontal (coronal) divides anterior/posterior;
transverse divides superior/inferior.
Page 3
, Q8 The dorsal body cavity contains the:
The dorsal body cavity contains the:
A) Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
B) Cranial and vertebral (spinal) cavities CORRECT
C) Pleural and pericardial cavities
D) Abdominal and pelvic cavities
Rationale
The dorsal cavity includes the cranial cavity (brain) and vertebral cavity (spinal cord). The ventral cavity
contains thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
Q9 The pleural membranes are serous membranes that surround the:
The pleural membranes are serous membranes that surround the:
A) Heart
B) Abdominal organs
C) Lungs CORRECT
D) Joints
Rationale
The pleurae are serous membranes enclosing the lungs. The pericardium surrounds the heart; the
peritoneum surrounds abdominal organs.
Q10 The study of the function of the body is called:
The study of the function of the body is called:
A) Anatomy
B) Physiology CORRECT
C) Histology
D) Embryology
Page 4
2026/2027– Instructor Answer Guide with
Complete Solution
Q1 The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one...
The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another is called:
A) Physiology
B) Histology
C) Anatomy CORRECT
D) Cytology
Rationale
Anatomy is the study of structure; physiology is the study of function. Histology is the study of tissues,
and cytology is the study of cells .
Q2 The term "gross anatomy" refers to the study of:
The term "gross anatomy" refers to the study of:
A) Structures that can be seen with the naked eye CORRECT
B) Structures that require a microscope to be seen
C) The chemical basis of life
D) The development of an organism
Rationale
Gross anatomy examines large structures visible without magnification, unlike microscopic anatomy
(histology/cytology) .
Page 1
,Q3 The correct hierarchical order of organization from simplest to most complex is:
The correct hierarchical order of organization from simplest to most complex is:
A) Cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism CORRECT
B) Tissue, cell, organ, organ system, organism
C) Organ, tissue, cell, organ system, organism
D) Cell, organ, tissue, organ system, organism
Rationale
The structural levels build progressively: cells form tissues, tissues form organs, organs form organ
systems, and systems form the organism .
Q4 The ability of the body to maintain stable internal conditions despite...
The ability of the body to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes is called:
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis CORRECT
C) Adaptation
D) Evolution
Rationale
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment, regulated by feedback
mechanisms .
Q5 The anatomical term for "toward the front of the body" is:
The anatomical term for "toward the front of the body" is:
A) Superior
B) Inferior
C) Anterior (ventral) CORRECT
D) Posterior (dorsal)
Page 2
,Rationale
Anterior means toward the front; posterior is toward the back. Superior is toward the head; inferior is
toward the feet .
Q6 Which directional term means "toward the midline of the body"?
Which directional term means "toward the midline of the body"?
A) Lateral
B) Medial CORRECT
C) Proximal
D) Distal
Rationale
Medial means toward the midline; lateral means away from the midline. Proximal and distal refer to
attachment points .
Q7 The body plane that divides the body into left and right halves is the:
The body plane that divides the body into left and right halves is the:
A) Frontal plane
B) Transverse plane
C) Sagittal plane CORRECT
D) Coronal plane
Rationale
Sagittal (median) planes divide the body into left and right. Frontal (coronal) divides anterior/posterior;
transverse divides superior/inferior.
Page 3
, Q8 The dorsal body cavity contains the:
The dorsal body cavity contains the:
A) Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
B) Cranial and vertebral (spinal) cavities CORRECT
C) Pleural and pericardial cavities
D) Abdominal and pelvic cavities
Rationale
The dorsal cavity includes the cranial cavity (brain) and vertebral cavity (spinal cord). The ventral cavity
contains thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
Q9 The pleural membranes are serous membranes that surround the:
The pleural membranes are serous membranes that surround the:
A) Heart
B) Abdominal organs
C) Lungs CORRECT
D) Joints
Rationale
The pleurae are serous membranes enclosing the lungs. The pericardium surrounds the heart; the
peritoneum surrounds abdominal organs.
Q10 The study of the function of the body is called:
The study of the function of the body is called:
A) Anatomy
B) Physiology CORRECT
C) Histology
D) Embryology
Page 4
