Cord levels for the COMLEX?

[Sinnman]

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How important is it to know all the cord levels for motor neurons on the COMLEX? Obviously I know I need to know Erb’s palsy, claw hand, foot drop, etc. but how specific beyond that? My thoughts are to just learn the major ones by main function. For example, learning C5-C6 for elbow flexion and reverse engineering that if I'm asked innervation of a specific muscle (like biceps).

What do guys think?

 

[normalforce]

How important is it to know all the cord levels for motor neurons on the COMLEX? Obviously I know I need to know Erb’s palsy, claw hand, foot drop, etc. but how specific beyond that? My thoughts are to just learn the major ones by main function. For example, learning C5-C6 for elbow flexion and reverse engineering that if I'm asked innervation of a specific muscle (like biceps).

What do guys think?

Yes. There is a lot of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular stuff on COMLEX I. Don't kill yourself memorizing it, but do know it as best as possible.

 

[Atlas]

Well...Sinnman. I thought you had this answer figured out by now! 😀
Anyone else have anything they'd like to add?? How about the rest of anatomy/neuroanatomy? I've heard that sacral, cranial, and extremities (plus cord levels) encompasses approx. 80% or so of our anatomy/OMM/Neuro component.

Atlas

 

[Idiopathic]

Let me level with you.

Peripheral anatomy (limbs: nerves, vessels, cord level, ANS) might actually be the most important subject on COMLEX. There were no fewer than 50 questions dealing solely with distal limb muscles/innervation on my COMLEX. Sacral was a joke (one question), and cranial had maybe 4 questions. Cord was important, as several lesion patterns were discussed, but most of them were straightforward (all the anatomy was, for the most part). It isnt hard, but it can sure burn you if you arent prepared for some basic anatomy.

 

[Homunculus]

Let me level with you.

Peripheral anatomy (limbs: nerves, vessels, cord level, ANS) might actually be the most important subject on COMLEX. There were no fewer than 50 questions dealing solely with distal limb muscles/innervation on my COMLEX. Sacral was a joke (one question), and cranial had maybe 4 questions. Cord was important, as several lesion patterns were discussed, but most of them were straightforward (all the anatomy was, for the most part). It isnt hard, but it can sure burn you if you arent prepared for some basic anatomy.

idio speaks the truth. this holds true even for part III. though less anatomy, and more clinical "where would you treat" type stuff.

the rule of two's held for me. two weeks, two days, and a #2 pencil. 👍

--your friendly neighborhood chillin' in the NICU caveman