Video: How to study for human anatomy

Before you landed on this video, you probably searched for how to learn human anatomy on Google or YouTube. You might have clicked on a couple of videos that gave you four to five tips on how to learn the subject, but none of these tips seem to be working for you. You feel cursed. You fall into a “Why me?” rabbit hole. You start listening to sad songs… why can't I find the right way to learn Anatomy?

Well, while teaching Anatomy for the past 13 years at Kenhub, there is one thing I learned -- not everyone learns the same way. It's 2024 and people still believe that learning should be done with only textbooks or going to a lecture where your instructor is showing you a PowerPoint created on their Windows 95: “Here's this method used 500 years ago…it should work for you too.”

No. Stop. Or I will call the police.

Okay, I will avoid that and instead list the 15 best ways to study anatomy -- yeah, 15 ways. We gathered all the most well-known anatomy learning techniques so you don't have to watch another video -- ain't nobody got time for this. I know this video might be a bit lengthy, but I promise you will get a good overview of how you can learn a complex subject like Anatomy, so the search will be over after this and you can be focusing on something you really need to do which is study anatomy.

Let's start with one that has become a popular study technique – active recall. This is one of the most frequently recommended anatomy study tips and for a good reason. This technique should be the foundation of your approach to studying anatomy, that's why we have even placed it first on our list.

So, what is it? Well, in a nutshell, active recall is a study technique where you actively stimulate your memory during the learning process. No… not like that. To use active recall in anatomy, quiz yourself regularly on key terms, structures, and functions without looking at your notes. Use flashcards, practice questions, or teach the material to someone else. This method strengthens memory retention and improves understanding by forcing you to retrieve information, making it easier to recall during exams.

Now the next study technique on our list, we have here memory palaces. Sounds fancy, right? Rich! For those who think of themselves as visual learners, a memory palace is an ideal learning tool. Memory palaces are based on matching the material. You're learning two physical objects in an environment you know well. The idea is that you already know the environment well so linking the objects within it to the anatomy terms or concepts you're learning will help you to remember the information better.

Now imagine your house as your memory palace where the brain is the living room; the digestive system, the kitchen; the urinary system, the bathroom; and the bedroom, the musculoskeletal system. Now, I understand that would be a creepy house but it would certainly help you remember things later.

Speaking of weird ways to remember something, let's talk about our next learning technique -- mnemonics. Mnemonics are memory aids that use patterns, associations, or creative phrases to help remember information. In anatomy, mnemonics simplify complex concepts by linking them to easily recalled words or phrases.

For instance, to remember the cranial nerves, use “Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Feel Very Green Vegetables… AH.” Or, if you are feeling naughty, you can do something like, “Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle,” to remember the carpal bones. I could go dirtier, but I am too young to be cancelled.

Now create your own mnemonics by forming acronyms, rhymes, or vivid images related to anatomical terms. By converting complex information into simple memorable chunks, mnemonics enhance recall and make studying more efficient and enjoyable.

Time to get more physical, physical… let's talk about the next study technique. I'm talking about anatomy labeling worksheets. A great way to ease yourself into learning a new anatomy topic is with anatomy labeling worksheets. The idea is simple: study the structures you need to learn on a labeled overview image and then try labeling each structure yourself using an unlabeled diagram.

And guess what? Kenhub has a collection of anatomy labeling worksheets that are currently available for free. All you have to do is access the link I will leave in the video description. Download, print, and get to labeling.

Now for those of you looking for a way to remember all the information about the 600-plus muscles we have in our body, let me introduce you to the next study trick. I'm talking about muscle anatomy reference charts. I must say, I feel so naughty talking about muscle anatomy charts… really. It actually feels like a way to cheat your way through learning anatomy, but I promise, this one is legal. You're not going to go to jail for using it… or maybe you will.

Muscle anatomy reference charts are essentially cheat sheets where you find the relevant information about each muscle summarized into an easy-to-read table. We all have a friend in school who is able to take the best notes, summarize any lengthy topic. Well, that's exactly what a muscle anatomy reference chart is; the beautiful notes that will avoid you wasting countless hours trying to make a boring topic sound cute. And since we are all about being that friend, we have created our own muscle anatomy reference charts so you can learn muscles with ease.

Our charts divide muscles into body regions and groups with attachments, innervations, and functions clearly labeled. Browse the full range of muscle anatomy charts in the link available in the description and grab your free copy of the lower limb muscle chart. You're welcome.

Grab your pencils or markers, it's time to talk about the next study technique -- anatomy coloring books. Well, some people like adult coloring books to lower their anxiety levels and avoid becoming serial killers, and yes, anatomy can be one of those subjects that will make a nun become the devil. So why not combine the magic of stress relief through coloring books and anatomy.

Coloring books, or pages, are a great way to help you link anatomical form and function. For example, coloring in the arteries with a bright red pencil and the veins in blue can help you differentiate these similar-looking structures from one another. You'll form a clear picture in your mind. However, coloring content doesn't teach you much actual information about a topic. They are, therefore, best used as a supplement to other learning resources.

The best time to use an anatomy coloring book would be after having learned the structure in question using a more detailed resource like a textbook or the videos or articles from Kenhub. After this, you can use a coloring technique to solidify your memory of its form, function, and location.

Now let's talk about the next technique you can use to ace your next anatomy exam -- study groups. Now this one might not be for everyone especially if you are introverted which, believe it or not, I can relate. Some students find them helpful while others don't. Several factors affect the efficiency of this learning method. Ultimately, it mostly comes down to your personality, the type of material you're learning, and how you study best.

Study groups can be a great way to hear different perspectives which can enhance understanding. You can use active recall by describing the topic to your peers. Collaborative teaching can deepen your knowledge. Not to mention that some people will feel more motivated to study with friends.

Now let's move on to the next study technique -- mind maps. Mind maps are a classic anatomy learning technique and for good reason. Based on the premise of starting with a central idea and branching out related concepts from this, mind maps are a great way to link information together in a logical, efficient manner.

For example, create a mind map with the human body systems at the center; branching into categories like skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, and urinary. Each system branches further into main organs, functions, and key terms, visually organizing complex information for easy recall.

Learning anatomy can be fun like playing games, which happens to be the next anatomy learning technique we will add to the list. Learning anatomy by playing games is probably not going to turn you into anatomy master anytime soon but they can be a great way to supplement your learning in a fun and enjoyable manner. You can do a body part bingo or anatomy trivia night, anatomy puzzles, anatomy scavenger hunt, just to name a few. Now if a friend suggests a game named “Find the body” then run from that friend -- really -- run.

Speaking of bodies, let's talk about looking at them in 3D using the next learning technique or tools -- 3D anatomy tools. There is a lot of debate regarding the advantages and disadvantages of learning anatomy in 3D. I am talking about those cool 3D models that allow you to dive into the human body from many different angles. For some topics, it's probably much more useful than others.

Muscle anatomy is one area where we really recommend learning in 3D. Given that muscles help us move and muscle movement occurs in a three-dimensional plane, it only makes sense to learn them using 3D tools. But here's the thing: without guidance, these tools can also do more harm than good. If you don't have good text, good videos, to explain what you're looking at, exploring those 3D models can be as fun as getting lost in a desert.

Now this next technique is probably one of my favorite learning techniques for anatomy and many other subjects, I am talking about flashcards. Most seasoned anatomy students will agree that when it comes to the question of how to study anatomy, flashcards are an indispensable resource -- oh yeah.

Now, how do they work? On one side of the card, you'll see an anatomical structure; on the other side of the card, you'll see the name of the structure along with some extra information about it such as its origins, insertions, and functions. When you see this structure, strain your memory to remember its name. Once you think you've got it, flip the card to find out. Simple. You can try making your own anatomy flash cards or save yourself time by purchasing them readymade. Many mainstream anatomy atlases also offer standalone anatomy flashcard sets.

If you enjoy learning through consuming text, the next study method is for you. I'm talking about articles or textbooks. Similar to textbooks, articles provide you with very in-depth information about a topic. If you require an expert rather than a beginner-level knowledge of a topic, articles will suit you well.

Of course, long stretches of text can feel a little uninspiring to some. That's why at Kenhub, we aim to make our articles as fun and engaging as possible and I think we do a pretty good job. You'll find key facts and overview tables, supporting videos, and atlas images, clinical notes relating to the topic, and an easy-to-follow structure.

If you're more tactile, then textbooks could be a great alternative to digital articles. That is why we also recommend using an atlas textbook where you combine images and text to learn any topic in anatomy. So if articles and textbooks are your thing, check out the hundreds of articles available for free at Kenhub and our new printed Kenhub Atlas of Human Anatomy that you can get your hands on by just clicking on the link in the video description.

Go ahead, this is the one, if you haven't checked it yet. It's beautiful, right?

Now, if you are a visual learner, then this is probably an upgrade from articles. I am talking about videos. If reading text on a page feels like a boring and impossible feat for you, videos are a great way to help you engage with a topic. At Kenhub, most of our videos are less than 30 minutes long and cover everything you need to know about a topic including its detailed anatomy, function, and clinically relevant notes.

Our video tutorials are created by experts; yeah, people who have actually learned anatomy and can help you go through it. At Kenhub, we have hundreds of videos spanning both anatomy, histology, and soon physiology -- oh, yeah.

And last, but certainly not least, learn anatomy using quizzes. Quizzes are one of our ultimate anatomy study tips. They're a great way to learn a topic from scratch or to revise what you already know. Many anatomy exams will include quiz-style questions, making them an ideal way to literally put your knowledge to the test before the big day.

At Kenhub, you'll find quizzes covering basic identification, advanced identification; muscle facts which include attachments, innervations, and functions; question bank exam questions where we ask you about facts connected to all the structures in anatomy -- an intelligent mix, a combination of all the above. It's perfect to keep your knowledge up to scratch when you don't have the time to read endless pages of your textbook.

Wow! That was a lot. I believe that now you have a clear idea of what are the best ways to study anatomy. I mean, we covered them all here.

Now, you are ready to make the right decision, and the best part? You don't have to waste time searching for other videos because if you do, I know where you live. In the meantime, do let us know in the comments what your favorite anatomy study technique is, so you tell me and the rest of the gang here on the channel what works for you. We're a curious bunch, oh yeah.

I hope to see you in the next video.