Jefferson Medical College Alpha Omega Alpha

Guide to Taking an Anatomy Practical Exam

All of the questions are straight forward. That being said, like any exam there are "tricks" to doing well.

1. When you are learning the structures answer the following questions for
   1. Arteries
      1. What is its origin
      2. What are its branches
      3. What organs/structures does it feed
      4. What is its relation to other structures
      5. Why is it clinically important
      6. How would this appear on an image
   2. Veins
      1. What is its origin
      2. What are its branches
      3. What organs/structures supply blood
      4. What is its relation to other structures
      5. Why is it clinically important
      6. How would this appear on an image
   3. Muscles
      1. What is its origin/insertion
      2. What nerve innervates this muscle
      3. What is the function of this muscle
      4. What is its relation to other structures
      5. Why is it clinically important
      6. How would this appear on an image
   4. Nerves
      1. What is the nerve's origin
      2. What does it innervate
      3. What kind of fibers does it contain
      4. Why is it clinically important
      5. What is its relation to other structures
   5. Bones
      1. What are the Tendons and Ligaments associated with the bone
      2. What are the features of the bone
      3. What is its relation to other structures
      4. What are the fractures associated with this bone
      5. How would this appear on an image
   6. Organs
      1. What are the features of this organ
      2. What is its blood supply
      3. What is its innervation
      4. What is its function
      5. What is its relation to other structures
      6. How would this appear on an image
2. Keep the lab clean, not just your area but your neighbors.
3. Maintain your bodies (keep them moist). If there are a lot of good examples than it will be easier to identify the structures.
4. If a lab table has a good example of something, look at it. Try and keep a list of the lab table and the structure.
5. Do not forget to examine the opposite gender body.
6. Read before you go to lab. If you have an idea of what you are suppose to find, the lab will run smoother. You can make one lab member the "expert" for the day.
7. Learn all of the structures in relation to each other.
8. If someone was able to put his or her name on a structure, know it.
9. Learn the "Landmarks." If it is called a landmark, it will either be on the exam or will help you on the exam.
10. Learn all of the triangles and anything associated with the triangles.
11. Study the radiographs and CTs.
12. No anomalies will be tested with two possible exceptions: aberrant Obturator artery or a Meckel's Diverticulum (provided there are two in the lab).
13. Do not purposely destroy structures. If the professors can't find it they have other bodies they can use or they can just choose a different, possibly harder, structure.
14. Each station will have a card with a question on it. Read the card before you look at the structure.
15. Do not touch the bodies during the exam.
16. Mnemonics are your friend.
17. Take each question one at a time. Do not let one question bother you.
18. Take notes on your answer sheet.
19. Only put done just enough information to get the question correct. No more…no less.
20. Roses are red, violets are blue and the Long Thoracic Nerve Innervates the Serratus Anterior. This will be tested.

Last updated 8/03