HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology Practice Test
2026/2027 Latest
Section 1: Introduction to the Human Body & Homeostasis (Questions 1–15)
1. Which term describes the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite
external changes?
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Adaptation
D) Anabolism
Correct Answer: B — Homeostasis is the body's process of maintaining a stable internal
environment (temperature, pH, blood glucose, etc.).
2. Which body plane divides the body into equal left and right halves?
A) Coronal (frontal) plane
B) Transverse (horizontal) plane
C) Sagittal plane
D) Midsagittal plane
Correct Answer: D — The midsagittal plane divides the body into equal right and left
halves.
3. The term "proximal" means:
A) Closer to the point of attachment or origin
B) Farther from the point of attachment
C) Toward the midline
D) Toward the surface
Correct Answer: A — Proximal describes a structure closer to the point of attachment or
origin.
4. Which structure separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities?
A) Pleural membrane
B) Pericardium
C) Diaphragm
D) Peritoneum
Correct Answer: C — The diaphragm is a dome-shaped skeletal muscle that divides the
thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.
,5. The term "superior" means:
A) Below or toward the feet
B) Above or toward the head
C) Toward the front
D) Toward the back
Correct Answer: B — Superior means above or toward the head.
6. Which directional term means "toward the back of the body"?
A) Anterior
B) Ventral
C) Posterior
D) Medial
Correct Answer: C — Posterior (or dorsal) means toward the back of the body.
7. The frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior portions
B) Right and left portions
C) Anterior and posterior portions
D) Equal left and right halves
Correct Answer: C — The frontal plane divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions.
8. Which of the following is NOT a body cavity?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Skeletal cavity
Correct Answer: D — Skeletal cavity is not a recognized body cavity.
9. The study of tissues is called:
A) Histology
B) Cytology
C) Anatomy
D) Physiology
Correct Answer: A — Histology is the study of tissues, their structure, and function.
10. A tissue is defined as:
A) A single cell performing multiple functions
B) A group of cells that act together to perform a specific function
C) An organ system
D) A bone and its surrounding ligaments
, Correct Answer: B — Tissues are collections of similar cells that coordinate to perform a
specific role.
11. Which of the following are the four fundamental tissue types?
A) Bone, Muscle, Skin, Fat
B) Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nerve
C) Dermis, Epidermis, Cartilage, Blood
D) Skeletal, Cardiac, Smooth, Nervous
Correct Answer: B — The four basic tissues are Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and
Nerve.
12. The primary function of epithelial tissue is to:
A) Contract and move body parts
B) Produce blood cells
C) Cover, line, and protect the body and internal organs
D) Conduct nerve impulses
Correct Answer: C — Epithelial cells form protective barriers on body surfaces and internal
cavities.
13. Connective tissue primarily functions to:
A) Protect the body from pathogens
B) Support and provide structure to organs
C) Generate electrical signals
D) Contract for movement
Correct Answer: B — Connective tissue provides framework, support, and binds tissues
and organs together.
14. Which tissue type is responsible for generating force and movement?
A) Epithelial
B) Connective
C) Muscle
D) Nervous
Correct Answer: C — Muscle tissue is specialized for contraction and movement.
15. Nervous tissue is primarily composed of:
A) Osteocytes and chondrocytes
B) Neurons and neuroglia
C) Fibroblasts and macrophages
D) Keratinocytes and melanocytes
Correct Answer: B — Nervous tissue consists of neurons (conduct impulses) and
neuroglia (support cells).
2026/2027 Latest
Section 1: Introduction to the Human Body & Homeostasis (Questions 1–15)
1. Which term describes the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite
external changes?
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Adaptation
D) Anabolism
Correct Answer: B — Homeostasis is the body's process of maintaining a stable internal
environment (temperature, pH, blood glucose, etc.).
2. Which body plane divides the body into equal left and right halves?
A) Coronal (frontal) plane
B) Transverse (horizontal) plane
C) Sagittal plane
D) Midsagittal plane
Correct Answer: D — The midsagittal plane divides the body into equal right and left
halves.
3. The term "proximal" means:
A) Closer to the point of attachment or origin
B) Farther from the point of attachment
C) Toward the midline
D) Toward the surface
Correct Answer: A — Proximal describes a structure closer to the point of attachment or
origin.
4. Which structure separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities?
A) Pleural membrane
B) Pericardium
C) Diaphragm
D) Peritoneum
Correct Answer: C — The diaphragm is a dome-shaped skeletal muscle that divides the
thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.
,5. The term "superior" means:
A) Below or toward the feet
B) Above or toward the head
C) Toward the front
D) Toward the back
Correct Answer: B — Superior means above or toward the head.
6. Which directional term means "toward the back of the body"?
A) Anterior
B) Ventral
C) Posterior
D) Medial
Correct Answer: C — Posterior (or dorsal) means toward the back of the body.
7. The frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior portions
B) Right and left portions
C) Anterior and posterior portions
D) Equal left and right halves
Correct Answer: C — The frontal plane divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions.
8. Which of the following is NOT a body cavity?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Skeletal cavity
Correct Answer: D — Skeletal cavity is not a recognized body cavity.
9. The study of tissues is called:
A) Histology
B) Cytology
C) Anatomy
D) Physiology
Correct Answer: A — Histology is the study of tissues, their structure, and function.
10. A tissue is defined as:
A) A single cell performing multiple functions
B) A group of cells that act together to perform a specific function
C) An organ system
D) A bone and its surrounding ligaments
, Correct Answer: B — Tissues are collections of similar cells that coordinate to perform a
specific role.
11. Which of the following are the four fundamental tissue types?
A) Bone, Muscle, Skin, Fat
B) Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nerve
C) Dermis, Epidermis, Cartilage, Blood
D) Skeletal, Cardiac, Smooth, Nervous
Correct Answer: B — The four basic tissues are Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and
Nerve.
12. The primary function of epithelial tissue is to:
A) Contract and move body parts
B) Produce blood cells
C) Cover, line, and protect the body and internal organs
D) Conduct nerve impulses
Correct Answer: C — Epithelial cells form protective barriers on body surfaces and internal
cavities.
13. Connective tissue primarily functions to:
A) Protect the body from pathogens
B) Support and provide structure to organs
C) Generate electrical signals
D) Contract for movement
Correct Answer: B — Connective tissue provides framework, support, and binds tissues
and organs together.
14. Which tissue type is responsible for generating force and movement?
A) Epithelial
B) Connective
C) Muscle
D) Nervous
Correct Answer: C — Muscle tissue is specialized for contraction and movement.
15. Nervous tissue is primarily composed of:
A) Osteocytes and chondrocytes
B) Neurons and neuroglia
C) Fibroblasts and macrophages
D) Keratinocytes and melanocytes
Correct Answer: B — Nervous tissue consists of neurons (conduct impulses) and
neuroglia (support cells).
