Anatomy and Physiology Exam UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Abdominal Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER The largest hallow body cavity in humans and many
animals, and holds the bulk of the viscera. It is located below (inferior to) the thoracic cavity, and
above the pelvic cavity.
Abdominopelvic Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER Division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that
houses the abdominal and pelvic viscera.
Anatomical Position - CORRECT ANSWER A standard reference position used for describing
location and directions on the human body.
Anatomy - CORRECT ANSWER Science that studies the form and composition of the the
body's structures.
Anterior Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER Larger body cavity located anterior to the posterior
(dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membrane-lined pleural cavities of the lungs, pericardial
cavity of the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as
ventral cavity.
Atom - CORRECT ANSWER The basic unit that makes up all matter.
Body Plane - CORRECT ANSWER An imaginary lines drawn through the body to separate the
body into sections.
Caudal - CORRECT ANSWER Describes a position below or lower than another part of the
body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column); also
refer to as inferior
Cell - CORRECT ANSWER Smallest independently functioning unit of all organisms; in
animals, it contains cytoplasm, composed of fluid and organelles
, Control Center - CORRECT ANSWER Compares values to their normal range; deviations
cause the activation of an effector
Coronal Section - CORRECT ANSWER Divides the body into dorsal and ventral (back and
front, or posterior and anterior) portions; also referred to as frontal portion
Cranial - CORRECT ANSWER Describes a position above or higher than another part of the
body proper; also referred to as superior
Cranial Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER Division of the posterior (dorsal) cavity that houses the
brain
Cross Section - CORRECT ANSWER In anatomy, a transverse cut through a structure or tissue.
Deep - CORRECT ANSWER Describes a position farther from the surface of the body
Development - CORRECT ANSWER Changes an organism goes through during its life
Diaphragm - CORRECT ANSWER The muscle that separates the chest (thoracic) cavity from
the abdomen and is the main muscle of respiration.
Differentiation - CORRECT ANSWER Process by which unspecialized cells become
specialized in structure and function
Distal - CORRECT ANSWER Describes a position farther from the point of attachment or the
trunk of the body
Dorsal Body Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER Posterior body cavity that houses the brain and the
spinal cord; also referred to as posterior body cavity
Effector - CORRECT ANSWER Organ that can cause a change in value
- an organ (a gland or muscle) that becomes active in response to nerve impulses
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Abdominal Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER The largest hallow body cavity in humans and many
animals, and holds the bulk of the viscera. It is located below (inferior to) the thoracic cavity, and
above the pelvic cavity.
Abdominopelvic Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER Division of the anterior (ventral) cavity that
houses the abdominal and pelvic viscera.
Anatomical Position - CORRECT ANSWER A standard reference position used for describing
location and directions on the human body.
Anatomy - CORRECT ANSWER Science that studies the form and composition of the the
body's structures.
Anterior Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER Larger body cavity located anterior to the posterior
(dorsal) body cavity; includes the serous membrane-lined pleural cavities of the lungs, pericardial
cavity of the heart, and peritoneal cavity for the abdominal and pelvic organs; also referred to as
ventral cavity.
Atom - CORRECT ANSWER The basic unit that makes up all matter.
Body Plane - CORRECT ANSWER An imaginary lines drawn through the body to separate the
body into sections.
Caudal - CORRECT ANSWER Describes a position below or lower than another part of the
body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column); also
refer to as inferior
Cell - CORRECT ANSWER Smallest independently functioning unit of all organisms; in
animals, it contains cytoplasm, composed of fluid and organelles
, Control Center - CORRECT ANSWER Compares values to their normal range; deviations
cause the activation of an effector
Coronal Section - CORRECT ANSWER Divides the body into dorsal and ventral (back and
front, or posterior and anterior) portions; also referred to as frontal portion
Cranial - CORRECT ANSWER Describes a position above or higher than another part of the
body proper; also referred to as superior
Cranial Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER Division of the posterior (dorsal) cavity that houses the
brain
Cross Section - CORRECT ANSWER In anatomy, a transverse cut through a structure or tissue.
Deep - CORRECT ANSWER Describes a position farther from the surface of the body
Development - CORRECT ANSWER Changes an organism goes through during its life
Diaphragm - CORRECT ANSWER The muscle that separates the chest (thoracic) cavity from
the abdomen and is the main muscle of respiration.
Differentiation - CORRECT ANSWER Process by which unspecialized cells become
specialized in structure and function
Distal - CORRECT ANSWER Describes a position farther from the point of attachment or the
trunk of the body
Dorsal Body Cavity - CORRECT ANSWER Posterior body cavity that houses the brain and the
spinal cord; also referred to as posterior body cavity
Effector - CORRECT ANSWER Organ that can cause a change in value
- an organ (a gland or muscle) that becomes active in response to nerve impulses
