TEAS 7 Anatomy and Physiology: The Complete Breakdown

Anatomy & Physiology makes up the largest chunk of the TEAS 7 Science section — roughly 32 out of 44 scored questions. If you're going to master one area of the TEAS, this is it. Here's a system-by-system breakdown of what you need to know.

Why A&P Matters So Much on the TEAS

The Science section accounts for 31.1% of your TEAS composite score, and A&P dominates that section. Getting A&P right can single-handedly push your composite score above most nursing school cutoffs. Getting it wrong almost guarantees you'll fall short.

The 11 Body Systems You Need to Know

The TEAS tests all 11 major organ systems. Here they are ranked by how frequently they appear on the exam, based on data from our tutors:

🔴 High Priority (Most Tested)

1. Cardiovascular System — The #1 most-tested system. Know the pathway of blood through the heart (vena cava → right atrium → tricuspid valve → right ventricle → pulmonary artery → lungs → pulmonary veins → left atrium → mitral valve → left ventricle → aorta). Understand blood pressure, cardiac output, and the difference between arteries, veins, and capillaries.

2. Respiratory System — Know the pathway of air (nose/mouth → pharynx → larynx → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli). Understand gas exchange at the alveolar level and the role of the diaphragm.

3. Nervous System — Understand the CNS (brain and spinal cord) vs. PNS (peripheral nerves). Know the difference between sympathetic ("fight or flight") and parasympathetic ("rest and digest") nervous systems. Understand neuron structure and how impulses transmit.

🟡 Medium Priority

4. Digestive System — Trace the pathway of food from mouth to anus. Know the role of each organ (stomach produces HCl, small intestine absorbs nutrients, large intestine absorbs water). Understand the role of enzymes like pepsin, amylase, and lipase.

5. Endocrine System — Know the major glands (pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, pancreas) and their hormones. Understand negative feedback loops — this is a very common question type.

6. Musculoskeletal System — Understand the difference between voluntary (skeletal) and involuntary (smooth, cardiac) muscles. Know major bones and joint types.

7. Urinary/Renal System — Understand kidney function: filtering blood, producing urine, maintaining electrolyte balance. Know the nephron structure (glomerulus → Bowman's capsule → tubules → collecting duct).

🟢 Lower Priority (Still Tested)

8. Immune/Lymphatic System — Know innate (skin, mucous membranes, phagocytes) vs. adaptive (T-cells, B-cells, antibodies) immunity.

9. Reproductive System — Basic male and female anatomy, gamete production (meiosis), and the menstrual cycle.

10. Integumentary System — Skin layers (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis), thermoregulation, and vitamin D synthesis.

11. Special Senses — Basic eye and ear anatomy. Less commonly tested but still worth a quick review.

How to Study A&P for the TEAS

• Draw diagrams from memory. Sketch the heart, the nephron, and the neuron without looking. If you can draw it, you understand it.
• Use the "teach it" method. Explain each system out loud as if teaching someone. This reveals gaps in your understanding.
• Create comparison charts. Map out sympathetic vs. parasympathetic, or arteries vs. veins, in a table format.
• Focus on function over memorization. The TEAS asks what a structure does more than what it's called. Understand the "why" behind each system.

Frequently Asked Questions