8 steps to create your own anatomy flashcards

Flashcard style quizzes: A better alternative

Physical flashcards are a much-loved favourite amongst anatomy students. But with increasing numbers taking their studies online, more efficient ways to use flashcards have become available.

The interactive anatomy quizzes from Kenhub are a great example. They're formatted and used similarly to traditional flashcards, but with much more sophisticated ways to memorise and track your progress.

There are six quiz types available, containing thousands of questions across topics. Choose from basic or advanced identification, question bank, muscle attachments, innervations and functions, intelligent mix (a combination of all of the above), or custom quizzes.

As you make your way through the quiz, our intelligent feedback system adapts to your knowledge levels by giving you more questions on the topics you need help with. The result? You'll identify and master any holes in your knowledge faster and more efficiently than ever.

Another huge benefit is the time you'll save! Instead of painstakingly writing out each question, answer and explanation, you can access thousands of expert written questions at your fingertips. No hand cramp needed.

Want to give it a try? Check out the custom quiz below. Need to study another topic? No problem - after clicking on the quiz, you'll be able to change the topic, focus and difficulty.

How to make handmade anatomy flashcards

However, if you still want to create your own flashcard deck, you can do so by using the Kenhub online Anatomy Atlas:

• Register: By going to kenhub.com and registering as a user you can access the online Anatomy Atlas.
• Select: Browse through the image collections and choose the images you would like to use.
• Download: By right-clicking the images and selecting ‘save image as’ you can download each individual image to your computer, tablet or phone for your personal use.*
• Print: Using the printer options, you can select the size you would like your cards to be and print them out on photo paper, or slightly thicker paper (card) for durability.
• Copy: rewrite the most important bullet points of each card from your Anatomy notes and the name of the image on the back side. Important details include:

1. Innervation: Nerve Supply
2. Vascularization: Blood Supply (Including Arteries and Veins)
3. Function: What the structure in the Image does
4. Movement: If the structure is a muscle, you could include whether it Abducts, Adducts, Flexes or Extends, for example
5. Acronyms: To help you remember difficult words
6. Phonetic Spelling: Ensures the correct pronunciation of the words
7. English & Latin Terminology: Which ever language the flash cards are presented in, it could be helpful to include the other language at the back, since various countries use various nomenclature.

• Laminate: When you are sure you have included all the important information on the back of each card, in order to ensure the endurance of your cards and protect them from bending or getting dirty, you can get them laminated at most print shops or just use a broad cellotape at home.
• Hole punch: By creating a small hole in each card in the top left-hand corner and using a circular clip, you can add the cards you will be revising that day and take them with you.
• Box: Find a small box to store your new deck to keep it clean and together while you are not using it.

By creating the cards yourself, it helps instill the knowledge better because first you have to make notes from your anatomy classes and reading materials and then you have to further summarize it so that only the most important details are left. When you write on the cards it is like revising the bullet points as you go.

Flashcards are only one part of your anatomy learning strategy. Learn how to put the pieces together with our Human Anatomy Study Guide.