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ATI ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (A&P)
PROCTORED EXAM PREPARATION GUIDE
2026/2027 EDITION COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
MATERIAL TO PASS ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT
AND AVOID RESITS/ ATI NURSING EDUCATION
ALIGNMENT | GRADED A+
Table of Contents
| 1 | Introduction to A&P: Homeostasis & Terminology | 15 |
| 2 | Chemistry of Life & Cell Biology | 20 |
| 3 | Histology & Tissue Types | 15 |
| 4 | Integumentary System | 15 |
| 5 | Skeletal System | 20 |
| 6 | Muscular System | 20 |
| 7 | Nervous System | 25 |
| 8 | Endocrine System | 20 |
| 9 | Cardiovascular System | 25 |
| 10 | Lymphatic & Immune System | 15 |
| 11 | Respiratory System | 20 |
| 12 | Digestive System | 20 |
| 13 | Urinary System | 20 |
| 14 | Reproductive System | 15 |
| 15 | Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base Balance | 15 |
| 16 | Comprehensive/Mixed High-Yield Review | 20 |
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Section 1: Introduction to A&P: Homeostasis & Terminology (15
questions)
**1. Which statement best defines the term "anatomy"?**
A. The study of the function of body parts.
B. The study of the structure and relationships of body parts.
C. The study of disease processes.
D. The study of chemical reactions in the body.
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Anatomy is the study of structure and relationships
between body parts. Physiology is the study of function. Pathology is
study of disease.
**2. The directional term "superior" means:**
A. Toward the head or above.
B. Toward the feet or below.
C. Toward the front of the body.
D. Toward the back of the body.
**Answer: A**
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**Rationale:** Superior = above, toward the head (cranial). Inferior =
below, toward the feet (caudal). Anterior/ventral = front. Posterior/dorsal
= back.
**3. Which plane divides the body into left and right halves?**
A. Frontal (coronal) plane.
B. Transverse (horizontal) plane.
C. Sagittal plane (midsagittal divides equally).
D. Oblique plane.
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Sagittal plane divides into left and right. Midsagittal
(median) = equal halves. Parasagittal = unequal halves. Frontal =
anterior/posterior. Transverse = superior/inferior.
**4. The axillary region is __________ to the sternum.**
A. Medial
B. Lateral
C. Proximal
D. Distal
**Answer: B**
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**Rationale:** Axillary (armpit) is lateral (away from midline) to the
sternum (breastbone). Medial = toward midline.
**5. Which body cavity contains the brain?**
A. Thoracic cavity.
B. Abdominal cavity.
C. Cranial cavity.
D. Pelvic cavity.
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Cranial cavity (within skull) contains brain. Vertebral
canal contains spinal cord. Thoracic cavity contains heart/lungs.
**6. The heart is located in which cavity and membrane?**
A. Abdominal cavity, visceral peritoneum.
B. Thoracic cavity, pericardial cavity (within mediastinum).
C. Pelvic cavity, parietal peritoneum.
D. Cranial cavity, meninges.
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Heart is in thoracic cavity, specifically the pericardial
cavity within the mediastinum. Covered by pericardium
(visceral/parietal).
ATI ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (A&P)
PROCTORED EXAM PREPARATION GUIDE
2026/2027 EDITION COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
MATERIAL TO PASS ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT
AND AVOID RESITS/ ATI NURSING EDUCATION
ALIGNMENT | GRADED A+
Table of Contents
| 1 | Introduction to A&P: Homeostasis & Terminology | 15 |
| 2 | Chemistry of Life & Cell Biology | 20 |
| 3 | Histology & Tissue Types | 15 |
| 4 | Integumentary System | 15 |
| 5 | Skeletal System | 20 |
| 6 | Muscular System | 20 |
| 7 | Nervous System | 25 |
| 8 | Endocrine System | 20 |
| 9 | Cardiovascular System | 25 |
| 10 | Lymphatic & Immune System | 15 |
| 11 | Respiratory System | 20 |
| 12 | Digestive System | 20 |
| 13 | Urinary System | 20 |
| 14 | Reproductive System | 15 |
| 15 | Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base Balance | 15 |
| 16 | Comprehensive/Mixed High-Yield Review | 20 |
,2|Page
Section 1: Introduction to A&P: Homeostasis & Terminology (15
questions)
**1. Which statement best defines the term "anatomy"?**
A. The study of the function of body parts.
B. The study of the structure and relationships of body parts.
C. The study of disease processes.
D. The study of chemical reactions in the body.
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Anatomy is the study of structure and relationships
between body parts. Physiology is the study of function. Pathology is
study of disease.
**2. The directional term "superior" means:**
A. Toward the head or above.
B. Toward the feet or below.
C. Toward the front of the body.
D. Toward the back of the body.
**Answer: A**
,3|Page
**Rationale:** Superior = above, toward the head (cranial). Inferior =
below, toward the feet (caudal). Anterior/ventral = front. Posterior/dorsal
= back.
**3. Which plane divides the body into left and right halves?**
A. Frontal (coronal) plane.
B. Transverse (horizontal) plane.
C. Sagittal plane (midsagittal divides equally).
D. Oblique plane.
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Sagittal plane divides into left and right. Midsagittal
(median) = equal halves. Parasagittal = unequal halves. Frontal =
anterior/posterior. Transverse = superior/inferior.
**4. The axillary region is __________ to the sternum.**
A. Medial
B. Lateral
C. Proximal
D. Distal
**Answer: B**
, 4|Page
**Rationale:** Axillary (armpit) is lateral (away from midline) to the
sternum (breastbone). Medial = toward midline.
**5. Which body cavity contains the brain?**
A. Thoracic cavity.
B. Abdominal cavity.
C. Cranial cavity.
D. Pelvic cavity.
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Cranial cavity (within skull) contains brain. Vertebral
canal contains spinal cord. Thoracic cavity contains heart/lungs.
**6. The heart is located in which cavity and membrane?**
A. Abdominal cavity, visceral peritoneum.
B. Thoracic cavity, pericardial cavity (within mediastinum).
C. Pelvic cavity, parietal peritoneum.
D. Cranial cavity, meninges.
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Heart is in thoracic cavity, specifically the pericardial
cavity within the mediastinum. Covered by pericardium
(visceral/parietal).
