Which valve is located between the left atrium and left ventricle?

Mitral (bicuspid) valve. The mitral valve (also called the bicuspid valve because it has two cusps/leaflets) is located between the left atrium and left ventricle. The tricuspid valve is between the right atrium and right ventricle, the pulmonary valve is between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery, and the aortic valve is between the left ventricle and aorta.

The SA node is known as the natural pacemaker of the heart. What is its normal intrinsic rate?

60-100 beats per minute. The sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right atrium, generates electrical impulses at a rate of 60-100 beats per minute, which sets the normal heart rhythm (sinus rhythm). If the SA node fails, the AV node can take over at 40-60 bpm, and the ventricles at 20-40 bpm as a last resort.

Where does the majority of nutrient absorption occur in the digestive system?

Small intestine. The small intestine is the primary site of nutrient absorption. Its three sections (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) are lined with villi and microvilli that dramatically increase surface area for absorption. The stomach primarily performs chemical digestion with acid and pepsin, the large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes, and the esophagus only transports food.

Which gland is referred to as the "master gland" of the endocrine system?

Pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is called the "master gland" because it produces hormones (TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, GH, prolactin) that control the function of other endocrine glands. However, the pituitary itself is controlled by the hypothalamus, which is sometimes called the "master of the master gland."

The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood is the:

Nephron. The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons. The nephron includes the glomerulus (filtration), Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle (concentration), distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct. The glomerulus is a component within the nephron, not the entire unit.

Key Takeaways

The human body is organized into chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organism levels
There are four basic tissue types: epithelial (covers surfaces), connective (supports/binds), muscle (movement), and nervous (signals)
The cardiovascular system pumps approximately 5 liters of blood per minute via a four-chamber heart
The respiratory system facilitates gas exchange (O2 in, CO2 out) at the alveolar-capillary membrane
The nervous system is divided into CNS (brain and spinal cord) and PNS (cranial and spinal nerves)
The endocrine system uses hormones for chemical signaling; the pituitary gland is the "master gland"
The musculoskeletal system includes 206 bones and 600+ skeletal muscles in adults
The urinary system filters blood through nephrons in the kidneys, producing 1,000-2,000 mL of urine daily
The integumentary system (skin) has three layers: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous/hypodermis

Body Systems: Structure & Function

The Anatomy & Physiology domain accounts for 20.9% of the RMA exam (approximately 44 questions). You must understand the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of all major body systems, including common diseases and disorders.

Body Organization Hierarchy

Level	Description	Example
Chemical	Atoms and molecules	Water (H2O), glucose, DNA
Cellular	Basic unit of life	Red blood cells, neurons, epithelial cells
Tissue	Groups of similar cells	Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous
Organ	Two or more tissue types working together	Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys
Organ System	Multiple organs with a shared function	Cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive
Organism	All systems functioning together	The human body

Four Basic Tissue Types

Tissue	Function	Key Locations
Epithelial	Covers surfaces, lines cavities, forms glands	Skin surface, mucous membranes, glands
Connective	Supports, protects, binds, stores energy	Bone, cartilage, blood, fat, tendons, ligaments
Muscle	Produces movement through contraction	Skeletal (voluntary), smooth (involuntary), cardiac (heart)
Nervous	Transmits electrical impulses	Brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves

Cardiovascular System

Heart: Four chambers -- right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle
Valves: Tricuspid (RA to RV), pulmonary (RV to pulmonary artery), mitral/bicuspid (LA to LV), aortic (LV to aorta)
Blood flow: RA -> RV -> pulmonary arteries -> lungs -> pulmonary veins -> LA -> LV -> aorta -> body -> venae cavae -> RA
Conduction system: SA node (pacemaker, 60-100 bpm) -> AV node -> Bundle of His -> bundle branches -> Purkinje fibers
Cardiac output: ~5 L/min at rest (stroke volume x heart rate)
Blood vessels: Arteries (away from heart, oxygenated except pulmonary), veins (toward heart, deoxygenated except pulmonary), capillaries (exchange site)
Blood types: A, B, AB (universal recipient), O (universal donor); Rh factor (+/-)

Respiratory System

Upper: Nose (warms, filters, humidifies), pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box)
Lower: Trachea (windpipe), bronchi (2 main), bronchioles, alveoli (gas exchange)
Function: Ventilation (air movement) and respiration (gas exchange of O2 and CO2)
Normal rate: 12-20 breaths per minute (adults)
Key volumes: Tidal volume (~500 mL), vital capacity (~4,600 mL), residual volume (~1,200 mL)
Regulation: Medulla oblongata controls involuntary breathing; responds to CO2 levels in blood

Digestive System

GI tract: Mouth -> pharynx -> esophagus -> stomach -> small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) -> large intestine (cecum, colon, rectum) -> anus
Accessory organs: Liver (bile production, detoxification), gallbladder (bile storage), pancreas (enzymes + insulin/glucagon)
Digestion types: Mechanical (chewing, peristalsis) and chemical (enzymes, acids)
Key enzymes: Amylase (starch), pepsin (protein, stomach), lipase (fat), trypsin (protein, small intestine)
Nutrient absorption: Primarily in the small intestine; villi and microvilli increase surface area
Large intestine function: Water absorption, vitamin K synthesis (by bacteria), feces formation

Endocrine System

Gland	Hormones	Function
Pituitary (anterior)	GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, prolactin	Master gland; controls other glands
Pituitary (posterior)	ADH, oxytocin	Water balance, uterine contractions
Thyroid	T3, T4, calcitonin	Metabolism regulation, calcium lowering
Parathyroid	PTH (parathormone)	Raises blood calcium levels
Adrenal cortex	Cortisol, aldosterone, androgens	Stress response, sodium/potassium balance
Adrenal medulla	Epinephrine, norepinephrine	Fight-or-flight response
Pancreas (islets)	Insulin (beta cells), glucagon (alpha cells)	Blood glucose regulation
Ovaries	Estrogen, progesterone	Female secondary sex characteristics, reproduction
Testes	Testosterone	Male secondary sex characteristics, sperm production
Pineal	Melatonin	Sleep-wake cycle regulation
Thymus	Thymosin	T-cell maturation (immune function)

Nervous System

CNS: Brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem) and spinal cord
PNS: 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves
Autonomic NS: Sympathetic (fight or flight -- increases HR, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion) and parasympathetic (rest and digest -- decreases HR, constricts pupils, stimulates digestion)
Neuron: Dendrites (receive) -> cell body -> axon (transmit) -> synaptic terminals -> synapse
Neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine (muscle contraction), dopamine (pleasure, movement), serotonin (mood), GABA (inhibitory), norepinephrine (alertness)

Musculoskeletal System

Bones: 206 in the adult skeleton; functions include support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production (hematopoiesis in red marrow)
Axial skeleton: Skull (22 bones), vertebral column (26 vertebrae), rib cage (12 pairs of ribs + sternum)
Appendicular skeleton: Upper and lower limbs, pelvic girdle, shoulder (pectoral) girdle
Muscle types: Skeletal (voluntary, striated), smooth (involuntary, non-striated), cardiac (involuntary, striated)
Joints: Synovial (freely movable -- knee, shoulder), cartilaginous (slightly movable -- vertebral discs), fibrous (immovable -- skull sutures)
Bone types: Long (femur), short (carpals), flat (scapula), irregular (vertebrae), sesamoid (patella)

Urinary System

Kidneys: Filter approximately 180 liters of blood daily; produce 1-2 liters of urine
Nephron: Functional unit -- glomerulus (filtration) -> Bowman's capsule -> proximal tubule -> loop of Henle -> distal tubule -> collecting duct
Ureters: Transport urine from kidneys to bladder via peristalsis
Bladder: Stores 300-500 mL of urine; sphincters control release
Urethra: Carries urine from bladder to external opening

Integumentary System

Epidermis: Outermost layer; contains melanocytes (pigment), keratinocytes (protection); no blood vessels
Dermis: Contains blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands
Subcutaneous (hypodermis): Fat storage, insulation, cushioning
Functions: Protection, temperature regulation, sensation, vitamin D synthesis, excretion (sweat)
Accessory structures: Hair, nails, sudoriferous (sweat) glands, sebaceous (oil) glands

Lymphatic / Immune System

Organs: Lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils, bone marrow
Lymph: Clear fluid that circulates through lymphatic vessels; returns excess fluid to bloodstream
Innate immunity: Non-specific defenses (skin barrier, inflammation, phagocytes, fever)
Adaptive immunity: Specific defenses -- humoral (B cells produce antibodies) and cell-mediated (T cells destroy infected cells)
Immunoglobulins: IgG (most abundant, crosses placenta), IgA (mucous membranes), IgM (first responder), IgE (allergies), IgD (B cell activation)

RMA Registered Medical Assistant Exam

1Introduction: RMA (AMT) Exam Overview

2Chapter 1: Anatomy & Physiology (20.9%)

3Chapter 2: Administrative Medical Assisting (26.7%)

4Chapter 3: Clinical Procedural Tasks (18.6%)

5Chapter 4: Clinical Patient Interaction (33.8%)

6Chapter 5: Exam Strategy & Practice