Anatomy and Physiology Practice Questions with
Answers and Rationales | The Human Body: An
Section 1: Anatomy vs. Physiology & Subdivisions
1. Which of the following best distinguishes anatomy from physiology?
A) Anatomy studies disease; physiology studies health.
B) Anatomy studies body structure and relationships; physiology studies function.
C) Anatomy studies cells; physiology studies organs.
D) Anatomy is macroscopic only; physiology is microscopic only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anatomy is the study of the structure of body parts and their
relationships to one another, while physiology concerns the functions of the body—
how parts work to carry out life-sustaining activities. The principle of
complementarity states that function always reflects structure .
2. A researcher studying the lining of the stomach under a microscope is
practicing which subdivision of anatomy?
A) Gross anatomy
B) Surface anatomy
C) Microscopic anatomy (histology)
D) Developmental anatomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Microscopic anatomy deals with structures too small to be seen by
the naked eye. Histology specifically is the study of tissues. Gross anatomy involves
large, visible structures, while developmental anatomy studies changes over the
lifespan .
3. Which subdivision of physiology focuses specifically on kidney function and
urine production?
,A) Cardiovascular physiology
B) Renal physiology
C) Neurophysiology
D) Respiratory physiology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Organ system physiology is divided by systems. Renal physiology
concerns kidney function and urine production. Cardiovascular physiology
examines the heart and blood vessels, while neurophysiology explains the workings
of the nervous system .
4. The study of structural changes caused by disease is called:
A) Pathological anatomy
B) Radiographic anatomy
C) Surface anatomy
D) Embryology
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pathological anatomy studies anatomical features that change
during illness. Radiographic anatomy studies internal structures via X-ray. Surface
anatomy studies general form and superficial markings .
5. Which of the following is an example of the principle of complementarity of
structure and function?
A) The heart has four chambers because it pumps blood.
B) The lungs are pink because they contain air.
C) Incisors are sharp for cutting, while molars are flat for grinding.
D) The skin is waterproof because it is made of cells.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The principle of complementarity states that what a structure can
do depends on its specific form. Incisors are shaped for cutting (structure) to
,perform the function of cutting food, while molars are shaped for grinding. This is
the classic textbook example .
6. Cytology is the study of:
A) Tissues
B) Cells
C) Organs
D) Organ systems
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cytology is the microscopic study of individual cells. Histology is
the study of tissues. Understanding cells is foundational because the cell is the
smallest living unit .
7. A physical therapist palpates a patient’s knee to feel for swelling. This
technique is an example of:
A) Auscultation
B) Percussion
C) Palpation
D) Dissection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Palpation is feeling a structure with the hands. Auscultation is
listening to natural body sounds, and percussion is tapping on a surface to listen
for sounds indicating underlying structure .
8. Which imaging technique uses magnetic fields rather than ionizing
radiation to visualize soft tissues?
A) X-ray
B) CT scan
, C) MRI
D) PET scan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields for
detailed images of soft tissues. X-rays and CT scans use ionizing radiation. PET
detects gamma rays from radioactive tracers to show metabolic activity .
9. Select ALL that apply. Which of the following are subdivisions of gross
anatomy?
A) Regional anatomy
B) Systemic anatomy
C) Histology
D) Surface anatomy
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Gross (macroscopic) anatomy includes regional, systemic, and
surface anatomy. Histology is a subdivision of microscopic anatomy, not gross
anatomy .
10. The study of development before birth is specifically termed:
A) Cytology
B) Histology
C) Embryology
D) Pathological anatomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Embryology is the study of developmental changes before birth.
Developmental anatomy more broadly studies changes throughout the lifespan .
Answers and Rationales | The Human Body: An
Section 1: Anatomy vs. Physiology & Subdivisions
1. Which of the following best distinguishes anatomy from physiology?
A) Anatomy studies disease; physiology studies health.
B) Anatomy studies body structure and relationships; physiology studies function.
C) Anatomy studies cells; physiology studies organs.
D) Anatomy is macroscopic only; physiology is microscopic only.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anatomy is the study of the structure of body parts and their
relationships to one another, while physiology concerns the functions of the body—
how parts work to carry out life-sustaining activities. The principle of
complementarity states that function always reflects structure .
2. A researcher studying the lining of the stomach under a microscope is
practicing which subdivision of anatomy?
A) Gross anatomy
B) Surface anatomy
C) Microscopic anatomy (histology)
D) Developmental anatomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Microscopic anatomy deals with structures too small to be seen by
the naked eye. Histology specifically is the study of tissues. Gross anatomy involves
large, visible structures, while developmental anatomy studies changes over the
lifespan .
3. Which subdivision of physiology focuses specifically on kidney function and
urine production?
,A) Cardiovascular physiology
B) Renal physiology
C) Neurophysiology
D) Respiratory physiology
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Organ system physiology is divided by systems. Renal physiology
concerns kidney function and urine production. Cardiovascular physiology
examines the heart and blood vessels, while neurophysiology explains the workings
of the nervous system .
4. The study of structural changes caused by disease is called:
A) Pathological anatomy
B) Radiographic anatomy
C) Surface anatomy
D) Embryology
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pathological anatomy studies anatomical features that change
during illness. Radiographic anatomy studies internal structures via X-ray. Surface
anatomy studies general form and superficial markings .
5. Which of the following is an example of the principle of complementarity of
structure and function?
A) The heart has four chambers because it pumps blood.
B) The lungs are pink because they contain air.
C) Incisors are sharp for cutting, while molars are flat for grinding.
D) The skin is waterproof because it is made of cells.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The principle of complementarity states that what a structure can
do depends on its specific form. Incisors are shaped for cutting (structure) to
,perform the function of cutting food, while molars are shaped for grinding. This is
the classic textbook example .
6. Cytology is the study of:
A) Tissues
B) Cells
C) Organs
D) Organ systems
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cytology is the microscopic study of individual cells. Histology is
the study of tissues. Understanding cells is foundational because the cell is the
smallest living unit .
7. A physical therapist palpates a patient’s knee to feel for swelling. This
technique is an example of:
A) Auscultation
B) Percussion
C) Palpation
D) Dissection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Palpation is feeling a structure with the hands. Auscultation is
listening to natural body sounds, and percussion is tapping on a surface to listen
for sounds indicating underlying structure .
8. Which imaging technique uses magnetic fields rather than ionizing
radiation to visualize soft tissues?
A) X-ray
B) CT scan
, C) MRI
D) PET scan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields for
detailed images of soft tissues. X-rays and CT scans use ionizing radiation. PET
detects gamma rays from radioactive tracers to show metabolic activity .
9. Select ALL that apply. Which of the following are subdivisions of gross
anatomy?
A) Regional anatomy
B) Systemic anatomy
C) Histology
D) Surface anatomy
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Gross (macroscopic) anatomy includes regional, systemic, and
surface anatomy. Histology is a subdivision of microscopic anatomy, not gross
anatomy .
10. The study of development before birth is specifically termed:
A) Cytology
B) Histology
C) Embryology
D) Pathological anatomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Embryology is the study of developmental changes before birth.
Developmental anatomy more broadly studies changes throughout the lifespan .
