Anatomy Exam Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Anatomy Exam facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which glycosaminoglycan is unique to cartilage extracellular matrix? → Chondroitin sulfate
2. The Circle of Willis receives blood from how many major arteries? → Three
3. Which part of the temporal bone contains the internal acoustic meatus? → Petrous part
4. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the gag reflex (afferent limb)? → Cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
5. Type I alveolar cells (type I pneumocytes) cover approximately what percentage of the alveolar surface area? → 95%
6. The medial pectoral nerve and lateral pectoral nerve together innervate which muscles? → Pectoralis major and pectoralis minor
7. What is the term for the tough fibrous membrane that covers the outer surface of bones? → Periosteum
8. Which nerve provides parasympathetic innervation to the stomach? → Vagus nerve (CN X)
9. The lambda is the junction of the sagittal suture with which other suture? → Lambdoid suture
10. The femoral triangle is bounded superiorly by which structure? → Inguinal ligament
11. What is the name of the serous membrane that covers the lungs? → Visceral pleura
12. Which of the following tissue types performs the role of lining, protecting, and covering surfaces and bodily cavities? → Epithelial tissue
13. Plasma cells in connective tissue are terminally differentiated forms of which cell? → B lymphocytes
14. A fracture through the petrous part of the temporal bone is most likely to damage which cranial nerve(s)? → CN VII and VIII
15. Which layer of the kidney is directly deep to the fibrous capsule? → Cortex
16. Which plexus of Auerbach regulates the muscular contractions of the GI wall? → Myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus
17. The infraspinatus muscle inserts onto which part of the greater tubercle of the humerus? → Middle facet
18. Which ligament connects the cricoid cartilage to the first tracheal ring? → Cricotracheal ligament
19. The duodenum is divided into four parts; which part crosses the vertebral column? → Third (horizontal) part
20. Which of the following best sums up how cells breathe? → It is an oxidative catabolic activity
21. Which of the following bones does NOT contribute to the cranial vault (calvaria)? → Nasal bone
22. Which division of the autonomic nervous system prepares the body for 'fight or flight'? → Sympathetic division
23. Alveolar type II pneumocytes primarily function to: → Produce pulmonary surfactant
24. Which structure passes through the foramen lacerum in life? → Only the cartilaginous plug (nothing functional)
25. Which part of the sphenoid bone contributes to the cranial vault's roof? → Greater wings
26. The sartorius muscle is innervated by which nerve? → Femoral nerve
27. Which rotator cuff muscle inserts on the inferior facet of the greater tubercle? → Teres minor
28. C7 nerve root contributes most heavily to which terminal nerve of the brachial plexus? → Radial nerve
29. Which layer of the skin contains blood vessels, nerve endings, and hair follicles? → Dermis
30. Which cranial nerve is responsible for most of the parasympathetic innervation of the thoracic and abdominal organs? → Vagus nerve (CN X)