Let's learn anatomy! Are you feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what you need to learn about the human body? Here are the basic building blocks of anatomy that you should know.
I remember in elementary school we were taught the Bones song to learn about the skeletal system. I don't remember all the lyrics, but I do remember that there are 206 bones in the human body.
Now, as I study anatomy I find myself humming the tune. Learning anatomy for my medical coding course won't be as easy as memorizing the lyrics to the Bones song and requires a more in-depth knowledge of the hip bone being connected to the thigh bone.
Actually, learning anatomy makes me ask, "What did I get myself into?" However, it doesn't have to be that difficult because the best way to learn anything is with consistent practice. But what if you feel lost and don't know where to start? Well, you start with the basics.
Looking through your course textbook you will see topics about body cavities, cells, tissues, and membranes, and chapters about organ systems. There is a lot to cover. However, starting with the basics will lay the foundation for learning all about the human body. The basics you absolutely need to know are the organ systems, bones, and muscles of the body as well as the anatomical positions and planes. So, let's break it down.
Anatomy Tips
Learn the bones of the body
There are a lot of bones in the human body! How can you learn them all? Don't waste your time trying to learn all 206 bones. Instead, focus on the classification of bone shapes and the different parts of the skeleton. This will help you to become familiar with the structure of the skeletal system.
Bone Shapes
Long
Short
Flat
Tubular
Cuboidal
Irregular
Sesamoid
Parts of the Human Skeleton
Axila Skeleton
Sternum
Ribs
Skull
Vertebrae
Sacrum
Hyoid
Appendicular Skeleton
Shoulder Girdle
Pelvic Girdle
Extremities
Learn the muscles of the body
There are approximately 640 muscles in the human body. Don't freak out. Break it down into parts. Don't just dive in jumping from muscle group to muscle group. Study one section first and then move on to the next. You can do this by studying the anterior or posterior muscles, or types of muscle tissue.
Types of Muscle Tissue
Skeletal
Cardiac
Smooth
There are many types of anterior and posterior muscles. Listed below are a few examples of each.
Anterior Muscles
Frontalis
Deltoid
Pectoralis
Biceps
Qaudriceps
Tibialis anterior
Posterior Muscles
Trapezius
Erector Spinae
Gluteus Maximus
Piriformis
External Oblique
Gluteus Medius
It's easy to feel discouraged once you see the many anterior and posterior muscles plus the tongue twisters used to describe them. So, do this. In the beginning focus on becoming familiar with these medical terms. Do not put pressure on yourself that you need to memorize all of these terms now. The purpose of learning anatomy and even medical terminology is to understand what you are reading. I promise you your exam will not be like a spelling bee competition where you are called to spell the word and use it in a sentence. But it will serve you well if you are coding an operative report and the procedure is about the piriformis muscle. It's good to be familiar with where that muscle is located.
Learn the organ systems
Oh, the organ systems! The meat and potatoes of your anatomy and ICD-10 manual. Learning about the organ systems is where it will all come together and make sense to you. My suggestion for you as you read through the chapters of each system is to revisit the chapter you just completed. Don't pull this tactic of "I'm done. I did well. On to the next." No, to understand and remember what you just learned it's best to look over your exams or quizzes and see if you can recall the answers without reading them or pick a topic and write about it in your own words. Also, each system goes into detail about diseases or surgeries that occur within that organ system. If you read something that is unfamiliar to you, look it up. Learn the common diseases or disorders that occur in that system too. Once you get into the habit of implementing these steps you will see everything coming together like the pieces of a puzzle.
11 Body Organ Systems
Cardiovascular/Circulatory System
Endocrine System
Gastrointestinal System
Immune System
Musculoskeletal System
Respiratory System
Integumentary System
Nervous System
Urinary System
Lymphatic System
Reproductive System
Learn the anatomical positions & planes
These are easy to memorize and very important to know. As you read operative or imaging reports you will see these terms used throughout them. Knowing the meaning of these terms will help you understand what you are reading. Operative reports may contain words that are unfamiliar to you and it's always best to look up the definition of those words. If you want to put yourself ahead of the game it's best to know the descriptions of body positions and directional terms. So, if an operative report states "the body was in a supine position" you will feel like a rockstar because you understand what you are reading and coding.
Anatomical Positions & Body Planes
Anatomical Positions
Lateral
Distal
Anterior (ventral)
Superior (cranial)
Proximal
Supine
Inferior (caudal)
Posterior (dorsal)
Medial
Prone
Superficial (external)
Deep (internal)
Body Planes
Sagittal
Frontal (coronal)
Midsagittal
Transverse (horizontal) (axial)
You now know the basics so build from there. If you are currently studying an organ system, learn the anatomy of that organ system. Or break it up into chunks by focusing on a different part each week. Such as, studying the axial skeleton for one week. What are the short or long bones of the axial skeleton? Or if you want to learn about the types of muscle, you could learn which system has the most cardiac muscle.
Remember learning about anatomy is not quick or easy, but that doesn't mean it has to be difficult. The purpose is to become familiar with anatomical structures and medical terms. After a while, you will start to easily learn all about the human body and maybe even make up your own Bones song.
Let me know in the comments below how you like to study anatomy. What are your favorite tips & tricks?
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