Whether or not anatomy is easy is simply up to the individual. But from a practice standpoint, anatomy is one of the single most important classes you will have in your entire 4 years.
I can almost guarantee you that you won't be utilizing biochemistry or even histology on a daily basis, but you will definitely be utilizing anatomy daily.
To understand most injuries or pathology, you must first understand the anatomy. Naturally, physiology, function, mechanics, etc., all play an important role in putting everything "together", but it all starts with understanding basic anatomy.
You can't even think about being a competent surgeon without having a great knowledge of anatomy. You can't read a CT scan, MRI or other radiological study, especially if it involves cross sectional images if you don't know your anatomy. You can't adequately assess an injury or trauma if you don't know your anatomy, etc., etc.., etc.
The biggest problem I've seen with students studying anatomy, is memorizing individual muscles, tendons or structures and not looking at the whole picture. It's virtually impossible to learn anatomy by memorizing individual structures, without understanding how everything "fits together" and works.
You can not study anatomy notes without an atlas in front of you. It's impossible. You can't have notes that state that muscle "A" originates at this point and inserts at this point and is innervated by this nerve and it's action is to perform X function.
You need to look at a picture to SEE where it originates and where it inserts and then you'll simply figure out it's function.
I believe too many students attempt to memorize, rather than look at an atlas and understand the anatomy. If you understand the anatomy, you won't have to memorize.
Mnemonics are great when it comes to remembering certain facts such as which muscles are in a particular group or compartment, but I know a lot of people that can rattle off mnemonics, but forget what the mnemonics represent!
So, the bottom line is that anatomy is extremely important and will definitely be used on a regular basis throughout your career. To learn anatomy, you must understand it, not just memorize it, and you must utilize an excellent atlas while studying to see the "big picture" so you can integrate the material and not learn individual facts that don't blend together.
Remember, the foot bone's connected to the ankle bone and the ankle bone's connected to the leg bone.....
