How to Study Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology is the first strenuous class many students take. It is necessary in pursuing a career in the medical
field. If a person wants to be a nurse, physical therapist, doctor or EMT, the study of Anatomy and Physiology is the
cornerstone in the pursuit of education.
Anatomy and Physiology courses are often used as a "weeding" class. This means the class will "weed out" students who
are not doing well or realize that this is just too much to handle. If studying was easy and casual before, now is the time
that serious studying need to be done.
In other words, if you have never studied before, you HAVE TO study now. Knowing how to study and having good study
habits will make this course less stressful. Waiting until the night before a test to study is not going to work well.
Study Tips for A and P
To start, anatomy is the study of the body’s parts. Physiology is the function of the body parts. The two go together to
further the knowledge and understanding of how the human body works. The course is tougher because it has the two
parts, Anatomy and Physiology.
The study of anatomy is memorization. The terms that you will hear will be long and unfamiliar, for example, you will hear
anterior, ventral, dorsal, posterior (just for starters), and need to know what these terms mean.
There is a lot to learn. Learning the Latin roots for the words and how the names relate will be a great help. For example,
the prefix Gastr- refers to the stomach. When you hear the term "gastric acid" you will realize that it means stomach acid.
The regions of the body also have many terms that apply to them. For example: cephalic, cervical, cranial, frontal, occipital
all relate to the head and neck.
Studying Anatomy and Physiology
One of the best things to do is look at models and diagrams. Try to recognize the different bone, muscle and parts without
looking at the key. Cover up the words on a diagram and see how well you do at identifying them. Then, immediately check
if you’re correct with the key.
Purchase some standard index cards or blank cards. Create flash cards with a drawing on one side and a definition on the
other. Have a partner study with you. Quiz each other with the flash cards and the diagrams. Note carefully what mistakes
you make and make sure you go over what you got wrong.
Studying Physiology also involves a lot of memorization, but also application and analysis of how the body parts function.
The human body is very complex. It is very important to have a study group for Anatomy and Physiology. This will help you
keep up the pace, find out what you may have forgotten to study, and help keep you motivated. Find a few students, who
are serious about learning and get together to study, compare notes, quiz each other and keep current in the coursework.
For Physiology, create an outline on paper of the simplest to most complex processes. Put the questions on one line and the
answer on the line after. Cover the answer and try to remember the answer before looking.
Be sure you are reading your notes and paying attention in class. As you read, look for or create acronyms, the odder and
funnier they are, the easier they are to memorize. You can add the acronyms to the flash cards and share them with the
study group. Time Management is very important in any coursework. Set aside time to study. Make sure you are
(relatively) free of interruptions or distractions. Plan to study a little bit each day. This will keep the knowledge fresh, since
there is so much to learn and memorize. This will be more effective than trying to "cram" it all in at the last minute. Make
this course a priority. Before you start a new chapter, go over the things you got wrong either on a test or during your
previous studying. Then go forward.
Anatomy and Physiology is the foundation for further education. Do the best you can; this course will make further studies
more understandable. As a Doctor, EMT, or Nurse, Anatomy and Physiology will be part of your profession. Medical
professionals must know Anatomy and Physiology to further their careers.