How to Be an Anatomy Rockstar

Snapping on your gloves, you enter the cadaver lab for the first time. The stench of formaldehyde hits you like a ton of bricks. Undaunted, you walk through crowds of anxious medical students toward your table and lab mates.

Are you pumped? 

Nervous? 

Slightly light headed?

No matter where you stand on the surgery medicine divide, you are probably anxiously anticipating your first patient. Feelings aside, learning every nerve, vessel, muscle, and organ in the human body can be daunting. So, to guide you through the process, we have compiled a list of ten top tips given by former Anatomy TAs and some advice from our very own Dr. Anna Edmondson.

What to study

1. Preview lecture slides and handout before attending class. This will familiarize you with the terms so that you can keep up in lecture.

2. Focus on the Powerpoint material. Refer to handout for clarification on things you do not understand.

3. Read all Clinical Notes and Clinical Correlations (blue boxes) for written exam success.

4. Always do practice questions (Michigan Anatomy) throughout the module (before the day before the exam!) to reinforce material and practice written questions.

How to study

5. Review the lecture slides, handout with Netters before you go into lab; this will help you connect lecture material with structure identification. Do not go to lab without reviewing notes beforehand.

6. As you go through lecture, make a personal study guide (drawings, outlines, notes) to take into lab. Print out or pull up lectures while in lab and study them together.

7. KEY TO SUCCESS: Go to lab in small groups (3-4), and go often! Help each other identify structures and quiz each other on structures. This will make sure there are no holes in your knowledge - you may know structures your classmates don’t and vice-versa. Repetition!

8. Study on multiple bodies! Bodies show variation and you need to be able to ID the same structure on cadavers that may look (slightly) different.

9. Study efficiently and take breaks. A two-hour study session where you are 100% focused is much more effective than a four session where you are only 50% focused.

How to study effectively

10. Focus on relationships between structures and take note of landmarks mentioned in class/lab. These help you know how you know a certain structure is what you say it is.

11. Spelling counts. Learn how to spell each structure accurately. (e.g. greater splanchnic nerve not great spinach nerve!)  

This may seem like a overwhelming load of work, but don't worry M1s. Like so many students who came before you, YOU CAN DO THIS! When things get tough, focus on your fascination with how amazing our bodies are, appreciate the incredible gift that our body donors have given us, and remember why you came to medical school in the first place. 

And for some extra encouragement, check out this Q&A with Dr. Edmondson:

Q&A with Dr. Anna Edmondson, Associate Professor, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy

What is your favorite part of Anatomy lab?

I love seeing variations between bodies. Extra spleens, pelvic kidneys, and curly arteries are exciting to examine in lab.  The diversity among cadavers just shows that we can be functional and healthy without being perfect. It is amazing!

What is your go-to Anatomy tool for dissection?

Blunt probe--the better to pimp you with! Just kidding. (But is she really?)

What advice do you have for students about learning Anatomy really well?

Take time to reflect on your studying. Ask yourself these questions: How are you studying? What is working? What isn’t working? Tailor your study strategies to address your weakness and play up your strengths. For example, if you are good at talking through material, study in groups and teach others to reinforce material. If you aren’t spending enough time in the lab, go in more often! My specific advice for students include reviewing all of the practice questions early on in the module (Michigan Questions), handwriting your notes (sticks better than typing for me!), and studying gross Anatomy in a group of 3-4.

What is your favorite part of the human body?

It’s like choosing your favorite child... so hard to pick! I tend to enjoy topics that I teach. Everyone hates on the pelvis, but I love pelvis anatomy. It is so intricate and interesting!

As a follow up, how do you inspire students to love pelvis Anatomy?

I encourage students to focus on the clinical applications of what they are learning. It is easy to get lost in the details and bogged down by memorization. Appreciating just how complex and amazing the human body is and how doctors can fix problems by knowing Anatomy will help students get through the hard stuff!

Pro dissection tips?

Don’t give up—just keep digging! (Easy for you to say, Dr. E! :-P)

Good luck M1s! We believe in you!

WHEN YOU GET HOME FROM ANATOMY 

#whatshouldwecallmedschool

Emily Peng is a second-year medical student in Augusta. She is currently undecided about where she lands on the surgery/medicine divide.  In addition to writing, Emily enjoys playing clarinet, running, and discovering new IPAs.