Most efficient way to study anatomy

[bansheeDO]

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What is the most efficient way to study anatomy. I'm feeling overwhelmed by the amount of material. I'm trying to devise efficient ways to study. Thus far this is what I have been told, and this is what I don't like about each method

1. Rereading notes over and over - Some people just say re-read your notes well, but I can't memorize details that in depth just by reading something

2. Notecards - I like notecards but they take too long to make.

3. Anatomy coloring book - that is a joke. I looked at it and there is no way that will help.

4. Read BRS Anatomy - it just looks like a pile of lists that have no connection to anything. The review questions are nice but that's about it

Any advice?

 

[LindelO]

What is the most efficient way to study anatomy. I'm feeling overwhelmed by the amount of material. I'm trying to devise efficient ways to study. Thus far this is what I have been told, and this is what I don't like about each method

1. Rereading notes over and over - Some people just say re-read your notes well, but I can't memorize details that in depth just by reading something

2. Notecards - I like notecards but they take too long to make.

3. Anatomy coloring book - that is a joke. I looked at it and there is no way that will help.

4. Read BRS Anatomy - it just looks like a pile of lists that have no connection to anything. The review questions are nice but that's about it

Any advice?

I find that reading Moore while looking at the associated pictures in Netter helps. Then after I've done the reading I use Netter's flash cards. I find those especially helpful for the memorizing portion becuase they don't just have ids, but also information about innervation, blood supply, etc. Also, definitely go into lab a lot to rego over what you've done and talk about the specific details (like muscle origins and insertions). It is an overwhelming class and it'll just take time for you to figure out the best way for you to study.

 

[gatsbyjo]

Ok.

Well I took anatomy in undergrad and Im in it now, so i do know a little.

I used the coloring book in undergrad, since we did a systems approach there, and BELIEVE ME IT HELPS IF YOU FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS. Something about coloring in the titles and the structure with the same color... I still remember all that I studied in there. if you are doing a regional approach now (which i think most do), then the color book could help clearing up difficult things (like the different nerves plexi, the varias muscle attatchments at the head of the humerus...etc...)

I think if you watch a prosection online (do a search on here for some good sites) BEFORE you go to lecture, you will already be familiar with the language before you get there. Then, I notice the people involved in lab know the most. The ones that really repeat, repeat, repeat the structures they are learning in lab.


Also... the lifesaver for me has been the latest edition of the Netter's CD-Rom, which has a feature where you can set up a test of a region or system and it will just drill you with hundreds of questions... sometimes just as obscure as the ones that the TA's will tag.

g'luck.

 

[Mumpu]

Learn to draw things. I found that I could learn to draw circulation/nerves/muscles in about an hour. Then you draw over and over again until it makes it up to the brain. You don't need to remember it if you can reproduce it on the back of the test.

 

[Discobolus]

by studying surface anatomy with a partner of the opposite sex!

Oh and doing TONS of practice questions also did the trick for me since I could never convince anyone to study surface anatomy with me 🙁

and Rohen is THE key for acing the practical

 

[Wrigleyville]

Mumpu has the right idea. Even if you are the worst artist in the world, you should be able to sketch crude diagrams of nerves and blood vessels that will burn the information into your brain. This is perfect for test questions -- for practicals I don't know that there is any substitute for just heading down to the lab and memorizing things. Cadavers don't look anything like what you'll see in netter's, and you need to be able to identify things in 3D.

 

[leorl]

1) Drawing really works. If you can visualize it enough to draw it, you're doing well. One book that's really good for learning vasculature and nerve pathways is Instant Anatomy.

2) Doing it verbally with a partner REALLY helps. Verbal run throughs really help solidify it in your mind. For example, take the humerus. List everything of note on the humerus (learn it from any atlas). Then point out and say the muscle attachments on a certain part of the humerus. It makes you visualize it, and is a quick way of learning it. By hearing it, you catch things you might have missed yourself. By saying it, you point out things that you need to work on. Soon, you get to the point where you can just detail everything out in 2 minutes or less...and then you know you have it solid.

 

[Mumpu]

Another thing that worked well for me was to learn as much anatomy on myself as possible. Particularly with hand and foot anatomy, you can palpate most of the muscles and tendons and actually feel them work as you do all the adductions and extensions. I would literally sit in the test and wiggle my fingers to remember what was what.

 

[TTSD]

Porn. Lots and lots of porn.

 

[orthoman5000]

Porn. Lots and lots of porn.

especially helpful during the pelvis and perineum section

 

[Mr. Rosewater]

take lots of time to putz around on SDN.

 

[Gerg]

take lots of time to putz around on SDN.

It's workin' for me! 15 hours till the 2nd exam.

 

[nuclearrabbit77]

go to anatomy lab infrequently. when you do go, have everything already memorized and look at the multiple prosected (amateur-sected..thanks to your classmates) cadavers and save yourself the time of digging through fascia and not knowing what the heck you are looking at.

sounds like you are screwing your partners, but you aren't really. there's almost always some eager-alpha type personality who dominates the dissection anyways.

the only reason you should be going is if you have some real hottie in your group, otherwise go sleep or study.

 

[Bad Mojo]

Porn. Lots and lots of porn.

So have you just started 'studying' for anatomy, or have you been preparing for years?