BIOS-251 Anatomy & Physiology Exam 1
2026 – Homeostasis, Body Planes & Organ
Systems – 75 Questions Q&A
TOPIC 1 – ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY & BODY PLANES
Q1. The anatomical position is characterized by:
A) Palms facing posteriorly, feet together
B) Palms facing anteriorly, feet together, thumbs lateral
C) Palms facing posteriorly, arms crossed
D) Lying face down with palms down
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In anatomical position, the body is erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward
(anterior), thumbs pointing laterally.
Q2. Which term means "toward the midline"?
A) Lateral
B) Proximal
C) Medial
D) Distal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medial refers to structures closer to the body's midline; lateral means away from
midline.
Q3. The plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves is the:
A) Parasagittal plane
B) Frontal plane
C) Transverse plane
D) Midsagittal plane
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into equal left and right halves.
Parasagittal divides into unequal halves.
Q4. A transverse plane divides the body into:
A) Left and right portions
B) Anterior and posterior portions
C) Superior and inferior portions
D) Proximal and distal portions
,BIOS-251 Anatomy & Physiology Exam 1
2026 – Homeostasis, Body Planes & Organ
Systems – 75 Questions Q&A
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Transverse (horizontal) plane divides the body into upper (superior) and lower
(inferior) parts.
Q5. The heart is _______ to the sternum.
A) Anterior
B) Posterior
C) Lateral
D) Medial
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The heart lies behind (posterior to) the sternum.
Q6. The elbows are _______ to the wrists.
A) Distal
B) Proximal
C) Medial
D) Lateral
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proximal means closer to the point of attachment (trunk); elbows are closer to
shoulder than wrists.
Q7. Which term describes a position closer to the surface of the body?
A) Deep
B) Superficial
C) Inferior
D) Medial
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Superficial means nearer to the body surface; deep means farther from surface.
Q8. The coronal (frontal) plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior
B) Anterior and posterior
C) Left and right
D) Proximal and distal
, BIOS-251 Anatomy & Physiology Exam 1
2026 – Homeostasis, Body Planes & Organ
Systems – 75 Questions Q&A
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Frontal plane separates front (anterior) from back (posterior).
Q9. Which directional term is the opposite of inferior?
A) Superior
B) Medial
C) Distal
D) Superficial
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Superior means above or toward the head; inferior means below or toward the feet.
Q10. The brachial region refers to the:
A) Forearm
B) Arm (upper arm)
C) Thigh
D) Leg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Brachial = upper arm (between shoulder and elbow). Antebrachial = forearm.
Q11. The popliteal region is located:
A) Behind the knee
B) In front of the elbow
C) On the neck
D) On the lower back
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Popliteal fossa is the diamond-shaped area posterior to the knee joint.
Q12. The axillary region is commonly known as the:
A) Neck
B) Armpit
C) Groin
D) Hip
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Axilla = armpit.
2026 – Homeostasis, Body Planes & Organ
Systems – 75 Questions Q&A
TOPIC 1 – ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY & BODY PLANES
Q1. The anatomical position is characterized by:
A) Palms facing posteriorly, feet together
B) Palms facing anteriorly, feet together, thumbs lateral
C) Palms facing posteriorly, arms crossed
D) Lying face down with palms down
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In anatomical position, the body is erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward
(anterior), thumbs pointing laterally.
Q2. Which term means "toward the midline"?
A) Lateral
B) Proximal
C) Medial
D) Distal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Medial refers to structures closer to the body's midline; lateral means away from
midline.
Q3. The plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves is the:
A) Parasagittal plane
B) Frontal plane
C) Transverse plane
D) Midsagittal plane
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into equal left and right halves.
Parasagittal divides into unequal halves.
Q4. A transverse plane divides the body into:
A) Left and right portions
B) Anterior and posterior portions
C) Superior and inferior portions
D) Proximal and distal portions
,BIOS-251 Anatomy & Physiology Exam 1
2026 – Homeostasis, Body Planes & Organ
Systems – 75 Questions Q&A
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Transverse (horizontal) plane divides the body into upper (superior) and lower
(inferior) parts.
Q5. The heart is _______ to the sternum.
A) Anterior
B) Posterior
C) Lateral
D) Medial
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The heart lies behind (posterior to) the sternum.
Q6. The elbows are _______ to the wrists.
A) Distal
B) Proximal
C) Medial
D) Lateral
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proximal means closer to the point of attachment (trunk); elbows are closer to
shoulder than wrists.
Q7. Which term describes a position closer to the surface of the body?
A) Deep
B) Superficial
C) Inferior
D) Medial
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Superficial means nearer to the body surface; deep means farther from surface.
Q8. The coronal (frontal) plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior
B) Anterior and posterior
C) Left and right
D) Proximal and distal
, BIOS-251 Anatomy & Physiology Exam 1
2026 – Homeostasis, Body Planes & Organ
Systems – 75 Questions Q&A
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Frontal plane separates front (anterior) from back (posterior).
Q9. Which directional term is the opposite of inferior?
A) Superior
B) Medial
C) Distal
D) Superficial
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Superior means above or toward the head; inferior means below or toward the feet.
Q10. The brachial region refers to the:
A) Forearm
B) Arm (upper arm)
C) Thigh
D) Leg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Brachial = upper arm (between shoulder and elbow). Antebrachial = forearm.
Q11. The popliteal region is located:
A) Behind the knee
B) In front of the elbow
C) On the neck
D) On the lower back
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Popliteal fossa is the diamond-shaped area posterior to the knee joint.
Q12. The axillary region is commonly known as the:
A) Neck
B) Armpit
C) Groin
D) Hip
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Axilla = armpit.
