recommendations for studying anatomy

[beckett3]

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In your first year, do you study anatomy in the fall or the spring?

I've heard anatomy can be quite difficult. Is it a good idea to start studying before the semester starts?

Thanks.

-E

 

[Johnny_D]

Studying anatomy is rote memorization. I won't help you that much because you won't know what structures to really focus on. It's not that hard and you can do well by just studying during the year.

 

[Law2Doc]

Is it a good idea to start studying before the semester starts?

Thanks.

-E

No. There are many many threads on this and the consensus is that to try and pre-study for med school is a big waste of time. You have no idea what the focus is going to be on, you have no sense of what's going to be important, you have no sense of the pace, you have no sense of how detail oriented it is. You probably don't have access to the med school syllabus (note-set). So all you really accomplish is wasting time. Best to relax and enjoy whatever time you have off and show up to school refreshed and ready to work hard. Med school teaches you all you need to know and then some. There is time to learn it once it starts if you put in the time, and you won't be wasting time studying the wrong stuff.

 

[QofQuimica]

In your first year, do you study anatomy in the fall or the spring?

I've heard anatomy can be quite difficult. Is it a good idea to start studying before the semester starts?

Thanks.

-E

I am amazed at how many premeds ask this question. It never even occurred to me to start studying for med school before I got here! FWIW, I agree with the others. There is nothing you can accomplish by pre-studying beyond possibly starting first year feeling totally burned out.

The length of an anatomy course depends on the school. Some schools do a block of anatomy (for a month or two); some have a semester of anatomy; and some have it for a whole year.

 

[Sunfire]

If there were any sections to start looking at beforehand, I would recommend the flexors and extensors of the arm, as well as the muscles of the thigh and leg. Hands and feet included, they can also be a bit tricky. All of those would hopefully be standard fare for any med school anatomy course. Nerves and cardiovascular are pretty straightforward, but it never hurts to put a picture of the brachial plexus above your desk. Skeletal is the easiest, imo. It's the muscle origins and insertions where you can lose yourself.

I'm starting my PA program in a few weeks and Advanced Anatomy will be one of my first courses. I did well in my undergrad Anatomy, and landed a paid gig in their anatomy labs. But I've been studying all summer to get ready for my second round. I know that you always hear the rumor that 'med schools don't want you to have learned anatomy until you take it with them', but as someone who's had some experience dealing with the subject matter, I don't see any harm in beginning to look into something that you're going to be dealing with for the rest of your natural life.

 

[CremasterFlash]

regardless of why you want to study anatomy (and as an aside, i think that your idea to prestudy is silly but as long as it's not taking time away from something really useful, why not?)

I actually enjoyed anatomy and took a basic and "advanced" course here at Northwestern.

one approach that really helped me (only the second part will apply to the OP):

make your own flashcards... do not buy the ready made ones.

bring your book to class.

circle the figure title for each figure that the professor uses in their lecture. there will be a huge number of figures for each anatomical region but only a couple will actually be used by your professor. the ones you circle will be the "important" ones.

next, circle the name/label for each muscle/nerve/bone/vessel/organ mentioned by the professor. this sounds silly but again, each figure will have a huge number of names, know which ones are "important"

bring your book to work or some place with a photocopier and scissors.

make a photocopy of each figure that your circled and any other ones you think are useful or good summaries. cut out the names of each muscle/bone etc that will be in the periphery of the figure but leave in the lines that connect the names to the anatomical item.

now make a photocopy of the image... what you'll have is a great way to practice naming things - the image with the arrows but no names. make a bunch of copies of this and fill in the names until you puke.

you will do well in anatomy this way.

 

[DrJosephKim]

Utilize multimedia anatomy software for your computer. This can be so much better than using any textbook.

You can also find some great resources online.

 

[Sunfire]

http://www.mhhe.com/biosci2/anatomyrevealed/

 

[Nasem]

i dunno about anatomy for med school... but I am taking a 300 level course called "Human gross anatomy" right now over the fall.... wish me best of luck... I heard by the end of the semester, ur going to have memorized over a 1000 body parts (ALL IN LATIN)

I'm sure by time I attend med school (in 2 years at the least), im gonna have most of it forgotten and I'd have to rememorize it all over again haha good times

 

[fireflygirl]

Utilize multimedia anatomy software for your computer. This can be so much better than using any textbook.

You can also find some great resources online.

Do you have any suggestions for multimedia software mdjkim? I was checking out the demo for what Sunfire posted (http://www.mhhe.com/biosci2/anatomyrevealed/ ) and it seemed really useful but I was worried that with any multi-media program, would it be just as easy to transfer those digital images over to when you have to do your practicals where I imagine you are going to be identifying the actual parts on a cadaver?

 

[MaryLennox]

are you talking about taking it in med school or undergrad?

if you mean you are taking it as an undergrad elective i reccommend summer session if you can. that's what i did and it was great because i was able to fully immerse myself in it and not worry about other classes. which is what you kinda have to do.

i also agree with making your own flashcards. i loved doing it and i am pretty sure it helped me a lot.

if you are trying to 'pre-study' without having EVER taken it before . . . i dont think it would work too well. study all the flashcards and books you want, but it doesnt look a thing like a cadaver. you won't know what's what. when you take anatomy you have to kinda get to know the particular cadavers that are in your class (haha, sounds gross.) but really, those are what you are getting tested on, so no way to jump the gun on that part.

 

[teddybear]

I have been told by my professors and advisors that anatomy is not a priority as an undergrad. Medical school will teach you all you need to know.

I don't recommend pre-studying. Just go in there ready to learn it. Unless you're one of those people like me who like it so much you read it for enjoyment in your off time. I'm building a nice book collection.

 

[JuniperB]

study Latin prefix and suffix.

Memorize the bones - the muscles O/I will follow easily

good luck,

JB