HESI Anatomy & Physiology Test Overview

The Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) section of the HESI A2 exam assesses a student’s knowledge of the structure and function of the human body. Like Chemistry, this is a section that not all programs require — so before dedicating significant study time to it, confirm with your specific programs whether A&P is on your required list. For programs that do require it, however, this section carries considerable importance, as Anatomy & Physiology is the scientific backbone of nursing and allied health education.

Purpose and Context

A&P is arguably the most directly relevant science section on the entire HESI A2. Nearly everything a nursing or allied health student learns — how medications work, how diseases develop, how the body responds to injury or illness — is rooted in a solid understanding of body structure and function. Students who arrive with strong A&P knowledge are better equipped to absorb clinical content quickly and make connections across subjects.

Test Format

The A&P section typically consists of 25 questions allotted in approximately 25 minutes. It is computer-based and entirely multiple choice. As with the Biology and Chemistry sections, the low question count means each item carries significant weight — a strong performance across all topic areas matters more than mastering just one or two systems.

Topics and Skills Assessed

Basic Anatomical Terminology Before diving into specific body systems, you should be comfortable with the language used to describe the body. This includes directional terms such as anterior/posterior, superior/inferior, medial/lateral, and proximal/distal. Body planes — sagittal, frontal (coronal), and transverse — and body cavities are also fair game. This foundational vocabulary appears throughout the test and in healthcare communication generally.

The Cell and Tissues The test may revisit cellular concepts from a human biology perspective, including the basic structure of the human cell and how cells organize into tissues. The four primary tissue types — epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous — their characteristics and general locations in the body are important to know.

The Integumentary System This system covers the skin and its accessory structures — hair, nails, and glands. You should understand the layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis), the functions of the skin (protection, temperature regulation, sensation, and vitamin D synthesis), and the roles of structures like sweat glands and sebaceous glands.

The Skeletal System Questions here cover the major bones of the body, the functions of the skeletal system, and the classification of bones by shape. You should understand the structure of a long bone, the role of bone marrow, and the different types of joints and the movements they permit. Basic concepts of bone growth and repair may also appear.

The Muscular System This topic covers the three types of muscle tissue — skeletal, smooth, and cardiac — and their distinguishing characteristics. You should understand how skeletal muscles produce movement, including the roles of origin, insertion, and muscle pairs (agonist and antagonist). Basic concepts of muscle contraction, including the role of ATP and calcium, may also be tested.

The Nervous System The nervous system is one of the most heavily tested areas on the A&P section. You should understand the structural and functional divisions of the nervous system — central versus peripheral, and somatic versus autonomic. Familiarity with the basic anatomy of a neuron, how nerve impulses are transmitted, and the role of neurotransmitters is important. The major divisions of the brain and their functions — cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem — are also commonly tested.

The Endocrine System Questions cover the major endocrine glands, the hormones they produce, and the general effects of those hormones on the body. Key glands include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreas. Understanding the difference between the nervous system and endocrine system as communication networks — speed, mechanism, and duration of effect — is a useful conceptual framework for this topic.

The Cardiovascular System This is another heavily tested area given its clinical significance. You should understand the anatomy of the heart — its chambers, valves, and major vessels — and be able to trace the path of blood through the pulmonary and systemic circuits. Understanding the cardiac cycle, heart rate, blood pressure, and the distinction between arteries, veins, and capillaries is important. Basic concepts of blood composition and blood typing may also appear.

The Respiratory System Questions cover the structures of the respiratory tract from the nasal cavity to the alveoli, and the mechanics of breathing — inhalation and exhalation. You should understand gas exchange at the alveolar level, the role of hemoglobin in oxygen transport, and how the body regulates breathing in response to carbon dioxide levels.

The Digestive System This topic covers the organs of the digestive tract and their roles in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. You should understand the path food takes from ingestion to elimination, the roles of accessory organs like the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, and the basic mechanisms of chemical and mechanical digestion.

The Urinary System Questions address the structure and function of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Understanding how the kidneys filter blood to produce urine, regulate fluid and electrolyte balance, and maintain blood pH is particularly important given the clinical relevance of renal function in patient care.

The Reproductive System Basic anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems may appear, along with the roles of key reproductive hormones. Questions are generally straightforward and focused on structure and function rather than complex physiological detail.

The Immune and Lymphatic Systems You should understand the basic components of the immune system — including the roles of lymphocytes, antibodies, and the distinction between innate and adaptive immunity. The lymphatic system’s role in fluid balance and immune defense, and the locations of major lymphatic structures like lymph nodes and the spleen, may also be tested.

Scoring

The A&P section is scored on the same 0–100% scale as all HESI A2 sections, with most programs requiring a minimum of 75%. The 25-question format makes each question particularly impactful, and the breadth of content — spanning nearly every body system — means that gaps in preparation can surface quickly.

How It Compares to Other Sections

A&P is widely considered one of the most content-heavy sections on the HESI A2. The sheer volume of material — covering essentially every major body system — means that preparation requires more time and sustained effort than most other sections. Students who have recently completed an A&P course have a significant advantage. Those who have not should plan to begin studying this section earlier than others and invest more total study hours in it.

Preparation Tips

Study system by system. Rather than trying to review all of A&P at once, work through one body system at a time. Master the structures, functions, and key concepts of each before moving to the next.

Use visual aids heavily. Anatomy is inherently spatial, and diagrams, labeled illustrations, and anatomical models are far more effective for learning structure than text descriptions alone. Labeling diagrams from memory is an especially effective study technique.

Prioritize the most heavily tested systems. The nervous system, cardiovascular system, and endocrine system tend to receive the most attention on the HESI. If study time is limited, weight your preparation toward these areas while still reviewing the others.

Connect structure to function. Rather than memorizing isolated facts, always ask yourself why a structure is built the way it is and how that design serves its function. This deeper understanding makes recall more reliable and helps you reason through unfamiliar questions.

Review anatomical terminology early. Learning directional terms, body planes, and cavity names at the start of your preparation pays dividends throughout — these terms appear across all system topics and in healthcare communication generally.

Use the official Elsevier HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review. This guide provides the most targeted and exam-accurate practice questions available and should anchor your preparation for this section.

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Overall, the HESI A&P section is one of the most demanding on the exam in terms of sheer content volume, but it is also one of the most rewarding to prepare for — the knowledge carries directly into your coursework and clinical practice. Students who approach it systematically, use strong visual study tools, and begin their preparation early are well-positioned to perform strongly on test day.