NANP Board Practice Exam

In which tissue of the body are most heavy metals, like lead, found?

1. Bones

2. Liver

3. Muscles

4. Nerves

The correct answer is: Bones

Heavy metals, such as lead, are commonly stored in the bones. The other options, liver, muscles, and nerves, are not typically locations where heavy metals are found in large amounts. The liver can help metabolize and eliminate certain heavy metals, muscles typically do not have a large storage capacity for heavy metals, and nerves are made primarily of fatty tissue which is less likely to store heavy metals. The skeletal system is responsible for storing calcium and other important minerals, and heavy metals can be mistakenly stored in the bones as well. Therefore, the correct answer is A.