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CCMA · 5% of the exam

Anatomy and Physiology practice questions

10 free Anatomy and Physiology questions for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.

Start the questionsFree 10-question CCMA quiz

What this domain covers

Body systems, their structures and functions, and common conditions a medical assistant should recognise.

Exam weight
5%
On a real exam
≈ 9 questions
In our bank
30 questions

Topics that come up most

  • Major body systems and organs
  • Directional terms and body planes
  • Common diseases and conditions
  • Vital-sign norms by age
  • Basic physiology

How to study it

Study one system at a time with its common conditions; questions link a symptom to the system involved.

Sample Anatomy and Physiology questions

Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.

  1. Question 1

    Where in the lungs does oxygen pass into the blood?

    • ATrachea
    • BBronchi
    • CAlveoli
    • DLarynx
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Alveoli

    • AIncorrect. The trachea carries air to the bronchi.
    • BIncorrect. The bronchi carry air into each lung.
    • CCorrect. Gas exchange happens in the tiny air sacs called alveoli.
    • DIncorrect. The larynx is the voice box.

  2. Question 2

    Which gland is often called the 'master gland' of the endocrine system?

    • AThyroid gland
    • BPituitary gland
    • CAdrenal gland
    • DPancreas
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Pituitary gland

    • AIncorrect. The pituitary controls it.
    • BCorrect. It controls many other glands.
    • CIncorrect. The pituitary controls it.
    • DIncorrect. It's controlled differently.

  3. Question 3

    The clear front layer of the eye that covers the iris and pupil is the:

    • ALens
    • BRetina
    • CCornea
    • DSclera
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Cornea

    • AIncorrect. It's behind the iris.
    • BIncorrect. It's at the back of the eye.
    • CCorrect. It helps focus light.
    • DIncorrect. That's the white of the eye.

  4. Question 4

    What is the main muscle used for breathing?

    • ATrapezius
    • BBiceps
    • CHeart muscle
    • DDiaphragm
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Diaphragm

    • AIncorrect. That's a back and neck muscle.
    • BIncorrect. That's an arm muscle.
    • CIncorrect. It pumps blood.
    • DCorrect. It contracts to draw air into the lungs.

  5. Question 5

    Which blood vessels carry blood away from the heart?

    • AVeins
    • BArteries
    • CLymph vessels
    • DVenules
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Arteries

    Arteries carry blood away from the heart to the tissues, and veins (including the small venules) bring blood back to the heart.

    • AIncorrect. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the tissues back toward the heart, not away from it.
    • BCorrect. Arteries carry blood away from the heart. In the systemic circulation, this is oxygen-rich blood going to the body's tissues and organs.
    • CIncorrect. Lymph vessels carry lymph, not blood. They return tissue fluid to the bloodstream and are not part of blood circulation leaving the heart.
    • DIncorrect. Venules are small veins. They collect blood from the capillaries and pass it into larger veins on its way back to the heart.

  6. Question 6

    What is the main job of red blood cells?

    • AFighting infection
    • BCarrying oxygen
    • CProducing hormones
    • DForming blood clots
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Carrying oxygen

    • AIncorrect. White blood cells fight infection.
    • BCorrect. Red blood cells carry oxygen using hemoglobin.
    • CIncorrect. Hormones are made by endocrine glands.
    • DIncorrect. Platelets help blood clot.

  7. Question 7

    Which statement best describes homeostasis?

    • AThe process of forming a clot to stop bleeding from a damaged vessel
    • BKeeping a relatively stable internal environment as outside conditions change
    • CThe chemical reactions that break down nutrients and build new molecules
    • DAdjusting internal conditions so they match the outside environment
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: B) Keeping a relatively stable internal environment as outside conditions change

    Homeostasis is the body's maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment (temperature, pH, glucose and so on), mainly through negative feedback. It should not be confused with hemostasis (stopping bleeding) or metabolism.

    • AIncorrect. This describes hemostasis, a different term that sounds similar. Homeostasis is about keeping internal conditions stable in general, not about stopping bleeding.
    • BCorrect. Homeostasis is how the body keeps internal conditions such as temperature, pH and blood glucose within a narrow range, mainly through negative feedback, even when the outside environment changes.
    • CIncorrect. This describes metabolism. Metabolic activity is one of the things homeostasis has to keep balanced, but it is not the same thing as homeostasis.
    • DIncorrect. This is close to the opposite. Homeostasis keeps internal conditions steady instead of letting them follow outside conditions, for example keeping body temperature stable on a cold day.

  8. Question 8

    The thyroid gland is part of which body system?

    • ADigestive
    • BSkeletal
    • CLymphatic
    • DEndocrine
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: D) Endocrine

    • AIncorrect. The digestive system breaks down food.
    • BIncorrect. The skeletal system is made of bones.
    • CIncorrect. The lymphatic system supports immunity and fluid balance.
    • DCorrect. The thyroid is an endocrine gland that releases hormones.

  9. Question 9

    Platelets mainly help with:

    • AFighting infection
    • BCarrying oxygen
    • CBlood clotting
    • DMaking hormones
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: C) Blood clotting

    • AIncorrect. That's white blood cells.
    • BIncorrect. That's red blood cells.
    • CCorrect. They plug small vessel injuries.
    • DIncorrect. That's endocrine glands.

  10. Question 10

    Which blood cells mainly fight infection?

    • AWhite blood cells
    • BRed blood cells
    • CPlatelets
    • DPlasma proteins only
    Show answer and explanation

    Answer: A) White blood cells

    • ACorrect. They're part of the immune system.
    • BIncorrect. They carry oxygen.
    • CIncorrect. They help blood clot.
    • DIncorrect. White cells fight infection.

Anatomy and Physiology: FAQs

How much of the CCMA exam is Anatomy and Physiology?

Anatomy and Physiology is 5% of the CCMA exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 180-question form works out to roughly 9 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.

What does the Anatomy and Physiology domain cover?

Body systems, their structures and functions, and common conditions a medical assistant should recognise.

How should I study Anatomy and Physiology for CCMA?

Study one system at a time with its common conditions; questions link a symptom to the system involved.

Where can I practise more Anatomy and Physiology questions?

This page has 10 free Anatomy and Physiology questions with answers. The ExamWize CCMA question bank has 30 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

Other CCMA topics

Also: 15 free questions across all topics, the CCMA cheat sheet and the study guide.

Get Anatomy and Physiology exam-ready

The full CCMA bank has 30 Anatomy and Physiology questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

See the full CCMA practice examsTake the free diagnostic

Not affiliated with NHA; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.