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# HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY EXAM
## LATEST VERSION 2026-2027 | 150 QUESTIONS |
DETAILED RATIONALES **GRADED A+ | HIGH-
YIELD FOR FIRST-TIME PASS**
# SECTION I: INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN BODY &
HOMEOSTASIS (Questions 1-10)
**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**
**Rationale:** Homeostasis is the process by which the body maintains
a stable internal environment (temperature, pH, blood glucose, etc.)
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through regulatory mechanisms. Metabolism refers to all chemical
reactions in the body. Anabolism is the building phase of metabolism.
---
**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 (median) plane
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into
equal left and right halves. A sagittal plane divides into left and right but
not necessarily equal. The coronal plane divides into anterior/posterior.
The transverse plane divides into superior/inferior.
---
**3. The term "proximal" means:**
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A) Closer to the midline
B) Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk
C) Farther from the midline
D) Closer to the surface
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Proximal means closer to the point of attachment or
origin (e.g., the elbow is proximal to the wrist). Distal means farther
from attachment. Medial/lateral refer to midline. Superficial/deep refer
to surface.
---
**4. Which body cavity contains the lungs and heart?**
A) Abdominal cavity
B) Pelvic cavity
C) Thoracic cavity
D) Cranial cavity
**Correct Answer: C**
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**Rationale:** The thoracic cavity contains the lungs (pleural cavities)
and heart (pericardial cavity). The abdominal cavity contains digestive
organs. The pelvic cavity contains reproductive and excretory organs.
The cranial cavity contains the brain.
---
**5. Which feedback mechanism amplifies a change, moving the body
away from homeostasis?**
A) Negative feedback
B) Positive feedback
C) Homeostatic feedback
D) Neutral feedback
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Positive feedback amplifies the initial stimulus, pushing
the body further from homeostasis (e.g., childbirth – oxytocin release
increases contractions, which increase oxytocin release). Negative
feedback reverses a change to maintain homeostasis.
---
# HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY EXAM
## LATEST VERSION 2026-2027 | 150 QUESTIONS |
DETAILED RATIONALES **GRADED A+ | HIGH-
YIELD FOR FIRST-TIME PASS**
# SECTION I: INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN BODY &
HOMEOSTASIS (Questions 1-10)
**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**
**Rationale:** Homeostasis is the process by which the body maintains
a stable internal environment (temperature, pH, blood glucose, etc.)
,2|Page
through regulatory mechanisms. Metabolism refers to all chemical
reactions in the body. Anabolism is the building phase of metabolism.
---
**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 (median) plane
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into
equal left and right halves. A sagittal plane divides into left and right but
not necessarily equal. The coronal plane divides into anterior/posterior.
The transverse plane divides into superior/inferior.
---
**3. The term "proximal" means:**
,3|Page
A) Closer to the midline
B) Closer to the point of attachment to the trunk
C) Farther from the midline
D) Closer to the surface
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Proximal means closer to the point of attachment or
origin (e.g., the elbow is proximal to the wrist). Distal means farther
from attachment. Medial/lateral refer to midline. Superficial/deep refer
to surface.
---
**4. Which body cavity contains the lungs and heart?**
A) Abdominal cavity
B) Pelvic cavity
C) Thoracic cavity
D) Cranial cavity
**Correct Answer: C**
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**Rationale:** The thoracic cavity contains the lungs (pleural cavities)
and heart (pericardial cavity). The abdominal cavity contains digestive
organs. The pelvic cavity contains reproductive and excretory organs.
The cranial cavity contains the brain.
---
**5. Which feedback mechanism amplifies a change, moving the body
away from homeostasis?**
A) Negative feedback
B) Positive feedback
C) Homeostatic feedback
D) Neutral feedback
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Positive feedback amplifies the initial stimulus, pushing
the body further from homeostasis (e.g., childbirth – oxytocin release
increases contractions, which increase oxytocin release). Negative
feedback reverses a change to maintain homeostasis.
---
