Knowing how to learn anatomy and physiology is essential to understanding the subject and achieving excellent grades.
Establishing a study routine, using excellent study strategies, and practicing retention exercises will help tremendously.
Additional resources are also a great way to improve your learning and retention of human anatomy.
They allow you to understand information from different perspectives to learn subject material more efficiently.
This article covers numerous resources, strategies, and study methods to learn anatomy and physiology more effectively.
Helpful Anatomy and Physiology Resources
Firstly, let’s start with the different anatomy and physiology resources, tools, and study materials to learn better.
These tools provide various ways to study, improve retention and comprehend complex topics.
It includes textbooks, anatomy coloring books, anatomical figures, flashcards, video lectures, and interactive 3D models.
Anatomy and Physiology Textbooks
Anatomy and physiology textbooks form the foundation of most educational materials.
These books provide deep knowledge and information about the human body to understand the subject comprehensively.
Nevertheless, a good anatomy and physiology book provides simplified examples, detailed illustrations, and clinical tables.
They also provide comprehensive data, charts, labels, medical terminology, and captions to decipher complex information.
A well-written anatomy and physiology book is designed for students to understand the subject quickly.
As a result, it’s essential to choose an author whose teaching style matches your learning style.
Anatomy Coloring Books
Anatomy coloring books are highly beneficial because they enable you to learn the subject interactively.
These books are great for students who need to break from reading complex texts.
The visual approach is also helpful in identifying body parts and functions with a visual aid.
Students who use anatomy coloring books retain information better due to the multi-faceted learning approach.
Anatomical Figures
Anatomy and physiology textbooks are great for providing in-depth, comprehensive information about the human body.
However, they’re one-dimensional and lack a multi-faceted learning approach.
Anatomical figures provide physical models of the human body and its various structures.
As a result, they are fantastic for kinesthetic learners who enjoy developing knowledge by interacting with material things.
Depending on your budget and needs, you can purchase specific anatomical parts or entire human models in various sizes.
Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
Anatomy flashcards are highly popular among nursing and medical students.
This learning format is a great way to test one’s knowledge and retention skills.
You can create your physical cards, purchase high-quality flashcards online or download them from an app.
The best part of anatomy and physiology flashcards is you use them to practice recalling essential information at any time.
You don’t need to carry a comprehensive book to practice memory exercises.
You can easily use your phone or a stick of cards to develop your retention skills.
Video Lectures
Numerous universes and online resources offer video lectures that students can utilize to study complex topics.
As a result, taking advantage of video lectures is beneficial to continue developing your education outside the classroom.
Some programs also enable you to download the lectures onto a tablet, phone, or computer.
It enables you to learn wherever and whenever you have free time.
Interactive 3D Applications
Numerous companies offer 3D applications that enable students to learn anatomy and physiology on their phones or tablet.
These applications provide 3D models of the human body that students can manipulate in three dimensions.
It’s a fantastic way to interact with various body parts to determine their function, location, relationship, and roles.
Some interactive 3D applications allow individuals to get extraordinarily granular depending on the program.
They enable students to observe the entire body or dive deep into the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and skeletal systems.
Functional Anatomy and Physiology Tools:
- Anatomy textbooks
- Anatomy coloring books
- Anatomical figures
- Anatomy flashcards
- Video lectures
- Interactive 3D applications
These are just a few powerful resources to improve your study habits and education.
You’ll learn complicated material faster and more efficiently when used in conjunction with an anatomy coloring book.
Using these resources is also a lot of fun and breaks up the monotony of reading boring textbooks.
For instance, anatomical figures and interactive 3D models enable you to use a kinesthetic approach to learning.
These tools enable you to physically manipulate body parts to learn and observe them from different angles.
Aside from the resources above, various online tools and programs enhance your studying.
Popular Online Resources Include:
- Evernote
- Grammarly
- Quizlet
- Chegg (formerly Study Blue)
And a host of other online resources or tools your college or school offers.
Contact your guidance counselor or ask a professor if they have any online resources they recommend.
The benefit of using online resources is that you can use them anywhere you have an online connection.
So long as you have access to the internet, you can study, update your work and perform various school-related tasks.
Tips for Better Learning and Retention
The following advice will improve your ability to understand and retain critical information relating to human anatomy.
You can use this advice with any subject you are currently studying.
This segment focuses on the following topics:
- Using an effective learning style
- Picking an author that resonates with you
- Understanding your education level
This section discusses the steps you can take to learn more effectively.
Use an Effective Learning Style
People use four common learning styles to develop their education: auditory, kinesthetic, reading/writing, and visual.
Each style is highly beneficial for improving comprehension, recall, and memory, primarily when used together.
If you understand which learning style works best, you’ll better comprehend human anatomy and physiology.
You’ll also easily grasp complex terms more effectively and break down sophisticated topics.
The Four Learning Styles People Use:
- Auditory
- Kinesthetic
- Reading/writing (contextual)
- Visual
Visual Learners
Visual learners benefit from using anatomy coloring books in their study practice.
They also benefit from detailed images, real-world models, and 3D anatomical figures.
These tools provide a visual approach that improves their understanding of the subject.
As a result, the more detailed the illustrations and models are, the more effective their learning experience.
Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners benefit from physical interaction and manipulation.
As a result, 3D interactive programs, anatomical models, cadavers, and other physical textiles provide the best learning experience.
Kinesthetic learners may benefit from detailed images and some contextual information.
However, their strength lies in manipulating objects, taking them apart, inspecting them, and putting them back together.
Contextual Learners
Contextual learners prefer contextualized books and information with detailed writing, data and description.
They may also benefit from illustrative images if they further explain the contextual format.
This format of learning is perfect for those who are excellent readers and enjoy long-form content.
Auditory Learners
Auditory learners learn most effectively through audio media.
It includes audio lectures, podcasts, recording sessions, and other audio formats.
They also learn effectively through group discussions, conversations, and interactive talks.
For a reference on learning styles, read the four different learning styles you should know by TheUniversityofKansas.com.
You can also read ten helpful study tips for students and the best places to study to develop a solid study routine.
The greater your understanding of how you study most effectively, the better you’ll learn and appreciate human anatomy.
Pick an Author That Resonates With You
If you’ve read enough books, you’ll realize that several authors will discuss the same subject differently.
The same applies to anatomy and physiology books and the authors/artists that create them.
Therefore, selecting an author who resonates with your learning style is highly beneficial.
Authors may use a variety of approaches to writing their books.
It includes technical, highly contextual, visual, interactive, or game-based approaches.
Teaching Methods is an excellent article by Teach.com that discusses different teaching methods to educate students.
In the case of anatomy and physiology books, some authors use a technical and systematic approach for their readers.
As a result, the content may be highly scientific and require significant reading to understand the subject effectively.
In other cases, an author may focus on beginner-level teaching.
They may use simple contexts and teaching methods to explain complex subject material in this case.
Finding a writer/artist who resonates with you will make learning anatomy and physiology more accessible and enjoyable.
In some ways, an author is like a school teacher.
Some are fun; others are highly specialized and precise.
Some authors focus on unconventional methods, and others are strictly by the book.
In the end, no one teacher or teaching method is best for every student. And the same is true of authors.
Therefore, you should habitually choose authors that resonate strongly with you whenever possible.
Understanding your Education Level
No educational book can provide helpful information if you don’t understand the basics of the subject.
As a result, it’s essential to understand your comprehension of anatomy and physiology before purchasing a textbook.
You’ll get the most out of your experience by selecting a book and tools that match your learning style and education level.
Students who’ve already completed introductory anatomy and physiology courses may use more comprehensive resources.
It includes 2nd and 3rd-year textbooks, comprehensive lectures, and more sophisticated courses.
However, those without a foundation of knowledge will benefit from introductory textbooks and novice applications.
You can also take advantage of online resources, flashcards, coloring books, anatomical models, and entry-level material.
As previously mentioned picking an author that resonates with you is highly beneficial.
Avoid authors using complex data and long-form content if you don’t have a basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology.