24 Anatomy & Physiology Practice Questions & Answers

Every Anatomy & Physiology practice question from the HESI A2 Practice Test, with the correct answer and a short explanation.

Start practice test →

1. Oxygenated blood returning from the lungs through the pulmonary veins enters which heart chamber first?
- A.Right atrium
- B.Right ventricle
- C.Left atrium✓ Answer
- D.Left ventricle
The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium; it then passes through the mitral valve into the left ventricle, which pumps it into the aorta. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the venae cavae instead.
Ref QB-D2B5RXSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: path of blood flow through the heartReport a problem with this question
2. Which valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle?
- A.The aortic valve
- B.The tricuspid valve✓ Answer
- C.The pulmonary valve
- D.The mitral valve
The tricuspid valve is the right atrioventricular valve, so it sits between the right atrium and right ventricle. The mitral (bicuspid) valve is its counterpart on the left side, while the pulmonary and aortic valves are semilunar valves at the exits of the ventricles.
Ref QB-VH5Y5XSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: heart chambers and valvesReport a problem with this question
3. Which vessel is the longest vein in the human body?
- A.Great saphenous vein✓ Answer
- B.Deep femoral vein
- C.External jugular vein
- D.Inferior vena cava
The great saphenous vein is a superficial vein that runs from the medial side of the foot up the entire leg and thigh to join the femoral vein near the groin, making it the longest vein. The inferior vena cava has the largest diameter, which is why candidates often confuse it with the longest.
Ref QB-C2YSJWSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: major veins (great saphenous vein)Report a problem with this question
4. In the cardiac conduction system, where does the electrical impulse travel immediately after leaving the atrioventricular (AV) node?
- A.The sinoatrial node
- B.The bundle of His✓ Answer
- C.The bundle branches
- D.The Purkinje fibers
The conduction sequence is SA node, AV node, bundle of His (AV bundle), right and left bundle branches, then Purkinje fibers. The bundle of His is the only electrical path from the atria to the ventricles, so it comes directly after the AV node.
Ref QB-YH7YN2Source: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: cardiac conduction pathwayReport a problem with this question
5. A person rapidly loses a large volume of blood. Which compensatory response is expected?
- A.Arterioles dilate to reduce vascular resistance
- B.Kidneys increase urine output to shed fluid
- C.Heart rate rises through sympathetic activation✓ Answer
- D.Heart rate falls through vagal stimulation
Blood loss lowers venous return, stroke volume and blood pressure; baroreceptors detect the drop and trigger sympathetic activation, which raises heart rate and constricts arterioles to keep cardiac output (HR x SV) and pressure up. The kidneys respond by conserving water, not by increasing urine output.
Ref QB-F22T32Source: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: cardiac output and baroreceptor response to blood lossReport a problem with this question
6. Which pair of hormones is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland?
- A.Thyroid hormone and calcitonin
- B.Epinephrine and norepinephrine
- C.Antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin
- D.Growth hormone and prolactin✓ Answer
The anterior pituitary makes GH, prolactin, TSH, ACTH, FSH and LH. ADH and oxytocin are released by the posterior pituitary, thyroid hormone and calcitonin come from the thyroid, and epinephrine and norepinephrine come from the adrenal medulla.
Ref QB-XHUMGZSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: endocrine system, anterior vs posterior pituitary hormonesReport a problem with this question
7. Aldosterone is released by the adrenal cortex. What is its main effect on the kidney tubules?
- A.Retains sodium and excretes potassium✓ Answer
- B.Excretes sodium and retains potassium
- C.Retains calcium and excretes phosphate
- D.Excretes water and lowers blood volume
Aldosterone acts on the distal tubule and collecting duct to reabsorb Na+ in exchange for secreting K+; water follows the sodium, so blood volume and blood pressure rise. Retaining calcium and excreting phosphate is the action of parathyroid hormone, not aldosterone.
Ref QB-E2PFWYSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: adrenal cortex hormones (aldosterone)Report a problem with this question
8. Which pancreatic islet cells secrete insulin, and what is insulin's effect on the blood?
- A.Alpha cells; lowers blood glucose
- B.Alpha cells; raises blood glucose
- C.Beta cells; lowers blood glucose✓ Answer
- D.Beta cells; raises blood glucose
Beta cells release insulin after a meal; insulin moves glucose into cells and promotes glycogen storage, which lowers blood glucose. Alpha cells release glucagon, which has the opposite effect and raises blood glucose.
Ref QB-SH3YMTSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: pancreatic hormones (insulin and glucagon)Report a problem with this question
9. Damage to the cerebellum would most likely impair which function?
- A.Regulation of breathing and heart rate
- B.Balance and coordination of movement✓ Answer
- C.Processing of visual information
- D.Control of body temperature and thirst
The cerebellum compares intended movement with actual movement and fine-tunes muscle activity, so it governs balance, posture and coordination. Breathing and heart rate are controlled by the medulla, vision by the occipital lobe, and temperature and thirst by the hypothalamus.
Ref QB-92WS2TSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: brain regions and their functionsReport a problem with this question
10. Stimulation of the vagus nerve, part of the parasympathetic division, produces which effect?
- A.Digestion slows down
- B.Heart rate decreases✓ Answer
- C.Bronchioles dilate
- D.Pupils dilate widely
The parasympathetic system supports rest and digest: vagal fibers release acetylcholine at the SA node, slowing the heart, and they also increase digestive activity. Dilated pupils, bronchodilation and slowed digestion are sympathetic fight-or-flight effects.
Ref QB-BUR87DSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: autonomic nervous system, parasympathetic effectsReport a problem with this question
11. When blood pressure drops, the kidneys release renin. What is the overall result of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system?
- A.Blood vessels dilate widely
- B.Blood volume and pressure rise✓ Answer
- C.Urine output rises sharply
- D.Blood volume and pressure fall
Renin leads to angiotensin II, which constricts blood vessels and stimulates aldosterone release; aldosterone makes the kidney retain sodium and water. Together these raise blood volume and blood pressure, a negative-feedback correction of the original drop.
Ref QB-UBXDSDSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: urinary system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systemReport a problem with this question
12. In the nephron, where is most of the filtered water, glucose and sodium reabsorbed?
- A.Proximal convoluted tubule✓ Answer
- B.Cortical collecting duct
- C.Distal convoluted tubule
- D.Ascending loop of Henle
The proximal convoluted tubule, lined with microvilli-rich cells, reabsorbs about two-thirds of the filtered water and sodium and normally all of the filtered glucose. Later segments, such as the loop of Henle, distal tubule and collecting duct, fine-tune what is left under hormonal control.
Ref QB-AUDWZBSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: nephron structure and tubular reabsorptionReport a problem with this question
13. How many lobes do the right and left lungs have?
- A.Right 3, left 3
- B.Right 2, left 2
- C.Right 2, left 3
- D.Right 3, left 2✓ Answer
The right lung has superior, middle and inferior lobes. The left lung has only superior and inferior lobes because it is narrower, with a cardiac notch that makes room for the heart, which tilts toward the left.
Ref QB-TBK3MCSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: respiratory system, lung lobes and cardiac notchReport a problem with this question
14. A person breathes too slowly and shallowly for several minutes. What happens to arterial CO2 and blood pH?
- A.CO2 falls and pH rises
- B.CO2 rises and pH rises
- C.CO2 rises and pH falls✓ Answer
- D.CO2 falls and pH falls
Hypoventilation fails to remove CO2, so CO2 builds up in the blood. CO2 combines with water to form carbonic acid, which releases hydrogen ions and lowers pH, producing respiratory acidosis.
Ref QB-9U2KUASource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: respiratory regulation of CO2 and acid-base balanceReport a problem with this question
15. Chemical digestion of protein begins in which organ, and through which enzyme?
- A.Mouth, by amylase
- B.Duodenum, by lipase
- C.Esophagus, by trypsin
- D.Stomach, by pepsin✓ Answer
Hydrochloric acid in the stomach converts pepsinogen into pepsin, which begins splitting proteins into smaller peptides. Salivary amylase in the mouth starts carbohydrate digestion, lipase acts on fats in the small intestine, and trypsin from the pancreas continues protein digestion later in the duodenum.
Ref QB-SB8REBSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: digestive system, site of protein digestionReport a problem with this question
16. What is the main function of the gallbladder?
- A.Produces bile for fat digestion
- B.Absorbs water from food residue
- C.Stores and concentrates bile✓ Answer
- D.Secretes lipase and trypsin
The liver produces bile; the gallbladder stores it and concentrates it by absorbing water, then releases it into the duodenum when cholecystokinin (CCK) signals that fatty food has arrived. Digestive enzymes come from the pancreas, and water is reclaimed from food residue mainly in the large intestine.
Ref QB-8UP8P9Source: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: digestive accessory organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas)Report a problem with this question
17. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
- A.The sagittal plane
- B.The transverse plane
- C.The midsagittal plane
- D.The frontal plane✓ Answer
The frontal (coronal) plane runs vertically from side to side, separating front from back. Sagittal and midsagittal planes divide the body into left and right parts, and the transverse (horizontal) plane divides it into superior and inferior parts.
Ref QB-RBVD9ASource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: general terminology, body planesReport a problem with this question
18. Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity?
- A.The diaphragm✓ Answer
- B.The pericardium
- C.The peritoneum
- D.The mediastinum
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped sheet of skeletal muscle that forms the floor of the thoracic cavity and the roof of the abdominopelvic cavity, dividing the ventral cavity in two. The mediastinum is the central compartment within the thorax, the pericardium surrounds the heart, and the peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity.
Ref QB-7UBWG8Source: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: general terminology, body cavitiesReport a problem with this question
19. Which tissue lines the alveoli of the lungs, allowing rapid diffusion of gases?
- A.Simple columnar epithelium
- B.Stratified squamous epithelium
- C.Dense regular connective tissue
- D.Simple squamous epithelium✓ Answer
Simple squamous epithelium is a single layer of thin, flat cells, which gives gases the shortest possible diffusion distance. Stratified squamous epithelium is built for protection against abrasion (as in skin), simple columnar suits absorption and secretion (as in the intestine), and dense regular connective tissue forms tendons and ligaments.
Ref QB-QBH349Source: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: histology, epithelial tissue types and locationsReport a problem with this question
20. When core body temperature rises, how does the skin help cool the body?
- A.Dermal vessels dilate and sweat increases✓ Answer
- B.Dermal vessels constrict and sweat decreases
- C.Dermal vessels constrict and sweat increases
- D.Dermal vessels dilate and sweat decreases
The hypothalamus responds to overheating by dilating dermal blood vessels, which brings warm blood near the surface to radiate heat, and by stimulating eccrine sweat glands, whose sweat removes heat as it evaporates. Vasoconstriction and reduced sweating are the responses that conserve heat in the cold.
Ref QB-8SR3P9Source: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: integumentary system, thermoregulationReport a problem with this question
21. Which bone cells break down bone matrix and release calcium into the blood?
- A.Osteocytes
- B.Chondrocytes
- C.Osteoblasts
- D.Osteoclasts✓ Answer
Osteoclasts resorb bone by dissolving its mineral matrix, which releases calcium into the blood; parathyroid hormone increases their activity when blood calcium is low. Osteoblasts do the opposite and build new bone, osteocytes maintain mature bone, and chondrocytes are cartilage cells.
Ref QB-Q9KW39Source: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: skeletal system, bone cells and calcium regulationReport a problem with this question
22. Starting from a palm-down position, rotating the forearm so the palm faces upward is called what?
- A.Supination✓ Answer
- B.Abduction
- C.Inversion
- D.Pronation
Supination rotates the radius so it lies parallel to the ulna and turns the palm upward, as in anatomical position. Pronation is the reverse (palm down), abduction moves a limb away from the midline, and inversion turns the sole of the foot inward.
Ref QB-7SDRG8Source: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: muscular system, body movements (pronation/supination)Report a problem with this question
23. Lymph collected from most of the body drains through the thoracic duct into which vessel?
- A.Right subclavian artery
- B.Left subclavian vein✓ Answer
- C.Left subclavian artery
- D.Right subclavian vein
The thoracic duct drains lymph from the lower body and the left upper body and empties it into the left subclavian vein, returning interstitial fluid to the bloodstream. The right lymphatic duct drains only the right arm, right side of the head and right thorax into the right subclavian vein; lymph never enters arteries, which are under high pressure.
Ref QB-P98KW7Source: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: lymphatic system, thoracic duct drainageReport a problem with this question
24. After ovulation, which structure secretes progesterone to prepare the endometrium for a possible pregnancy?
- A.The endometrium
- B.The pituitary gland
- C.The corpus luteum✓ Answer
- D.The mature follicle
After the LH surge triggers ovulation, the ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone (and some estrogen) to thicken and maintain the endometrium. Before ovulation the developing follicle mainly makes estrogen, and the pituitary releases FSH and LH rather than progesterone.
Ref QB-ASFRZBSource: Elsevier HESI A2 — Anatomy & Physiology: reproductive system, menstrual cycle and corpus luteumReport a problem with this question

1. Oxygenated blood returning from the lungs through the pulmonary veins enters which heart chamber first?

2. Which valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle?

3. Which vessel is the longest vein in the human body?

4. In the cardiac conduction system, where does the electrical impulse travel immediately after leaving the atrioventricular (AV) node?

5. A person rapidly loses a large volume of blood. Which compensatory response is expected?

6. Which pair of hormones is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland?

7. Aldosterone is released by the adrenal cortex. What is its main effect on the kidney tubules?

8. Which pancreatic islet cells secrete insulin, and what is insulin's effect on the blood?

9. Damage to the cerebellum would most likely impair which function?

10. Stimulation of the vagus nerve, part of the parasympathetic division, produces which effect?

11. When blood pressure drops, the kidneys release renin. What is the overall result of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system?

12. In the nephron, where is most of the filtered water, glucose and sodium reabsorbed?

13. How many lobes do the right and left lungs have?

14. A person breathes too slowly and shallowly for several minutes. What happens to arterial CO2 and blood pH?

15. Chemical digestion of protein begins in which organ, and through which enzyme?

16. What is the main function of the gallbladder?

17. Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?

18. Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity?

19. Which tissue lines the alveoli of the lungs, allowing rapid diffusion of gases?

20. When core body temperature rises, how does the skin help cool the body?

21. Which bone cells break down bone matrix and release calcium into the blood?

22. Starting from a palm-down position, rotating the forearm so the palm faces upward is called what?

23. Lymph collected from most of the body drains through the thoracic duct into which vessel?

24. After ovulation, which structure secretes progesterone to prepare the endometrium for a possible pregnancy?

Other topics in this exam