Human anatomy and physiology (A&P) is the single largest content area within the TEAS 7 Science section, testing your knowledge of 10 major body systems and how they work together. Because Science is the biggest section on the whole exam, and A&P is the biggest topic within Science, this is the highest-leverage content you can study for your overall TEAS composite score. Cardiovascular and endocrine questions come up especially often, so those two systems deserve extra attention.
For hands-on drills, TEAS Academy's Science practice test includes anatomy questions with detailed rationales you can review in Tutor Mode.
The 10 Body Systems Tested on the TEAS
1. Integumentary System
Skin, hair, and nails. Know the layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis), the role of melanocytes and keratinocytes, and functions like thermoregulation and protection against pathogens.
2. Skeletal System
Bone structure and function, the axial vs. appendicular skeleton, joint types, and the role of bones in mineral storage and blood cell production.
3. Muscular System
The three muscle types (skeletal, smooth, cardiac), how muscles contract, and how the muscular system works with the skeletal system to produce movement.
4. Nervous System
Central vs. peripheral nervous system, neuron structure, how nerve impulses travel, and the basic functions of major brain regions.
5. Endocrine System
Major glands (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas) and the hormones they release. Expect questions on how hormones regulate processes like blood sugar (insulin/glucagon) and metabolism — this is a high-frequency topic.
6. Cardiovascular/Circulatory System
Heart chambers and valves, the path of blood through pulmonary and systemic circulation, blood vessel types, and components of blood. This is one of the most heavily tested systems on the exam.
7. Lymphatic/Immune System
Lymph nodes, the spleen, white blood cells, and the difference between innate and adaptive immunity.
8. Respiratory System
Structures involved in breathing (trachea, bronchi, alveoli), the mechanics of inhalation and exhalation, and gas exchange at the alveolar-capillary level.
9. Digestive System
The path food takes from mouth to anus, the role of accessory organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas), and how nutrients are broken down and absorbed.
10. Urinary/Excretory System
Kidney structure and function, the nephron, and how the body filters waste and regulates fluid and electrolyte balance.
How TEAS A&P Questions Are Usually Asked
Most anatomy and physiology questions fall into a few predictable formats:
- Identify a structure from a description or labeled image
- Explain a function ("What is the primary role of the ___?")
- Trace a physiological pathway (e.g., the path of blood through the heart, or a nerve impulse from stimulus to response)
- Connect systems (how two systems work together, such as respiratory and cardiovascular in gas exchange)
- Basic pathology (what happens when a system malfunctions, such as hypotension or hyperglycemia)
Study Strategy
- Build a one-page summary per system — key structures, main function, and one or two disease/dysfunction examples.
- Prioritize cardiovascular and endocrine. These two systems appear disproportionately often and connect to many other topics (blood pressure, hormones, metabolism).
- Learn systems in relation to each other, not in isolation — TEAS questions frequently test how systems interact, not just isolated facts.
- Drill with realistic questions. Passive review (reading a textbook) is far less effective than active recall through practice questions. TEAS Academy's Science section is built specifically around the TEAS 7 A&P blueprint, with instant explanations for every question.