USMLE Step 1 Exam - How To Study The Anatomy Portion For A Better Score

There is a lot of information on the USMLE Step 1 exa, from physiology to pathology and everything in between, the volume of material is simply enormous. Now it is obviously very important to master as much of the high-yield information as possible, but by focusing on some very specific things that are encountered on almost every single exam you can rest-assured that you gain an extra 10-15 points on your exam.

Now there are a group of questions that are almost always tested on the Step 1 exam, and they related to the anatomy section of your education. While yes some questions are almost always asked, there are also a few that are never asked, and below we will take a look at three very important keys to studying the anatomy portion of your Step 1 exam that will help you improve your score and significantly cut down the time you spend studying.

#1 - The brachial plexus always show up on Step 1

You can rest assured that you are going to get anywhere from 2-5 questions that come from your knowledge of the brachial plexus. Most often you are going to get the question in the form of a clinical vignette, such as "This person fell off of his bike and landed on his hand. Now, he cannot extend his hand at the wrist joint, what nerve was affected?". This is the simple type of question you might encounter and you can answer anything the boards throw at you when you understand the principles of the brachial plexus. In order to make sure you get each of these questions right, simply practice by drawing out the brachial plexus, knowing the arrangement of each section, and knowing exactly what happens when different portions of the plexus are affected.

This can be done is very little time, and is thus a great way to ensure you get a few easy points on the Step 1.

#2 - Linking histology to gross structures

You are going to get questions that straight-up ask you what type of histology is found in certain tissues. Not only will you need to know healthy histology, but you will also need to know what type of histology is seen in pathological cases. The best way to prepare for this is to list each body tissue and the healthy type of histology you will find, then go through and list which tissues most commonly encounter pathology and then which tissues will occur as a result. This technique allows you to get more information out of one simple chart.

#3 - Don't waste a second on detailed muscle anatomy

When I say detailed stuff, I simply mean muscle origins and insertions. This is the kind of stuff that is extremely low-yield in anatomy and is very unlikely to show up on your Step 1 exam. Understand how muscles move and in which direction they do so, but this kind of detail is usually reserved for physiotherapists and chiropractors.

Be sure to incorporate these tips into your USMLE Step 1 preparation and you can be sure to gain a few easy points and not waste time on low-yield information.

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