How to Study Neurology and Neuroanatomy

Neurology and neuroanatomy are notorious for being challenging courses. The goal is to form a strong combination of conceptual understanding, rogue memorization, and 3D visualization of the brain. Try these study strategies and tips to help you learn how to study neurology and neuroanatomy.

Study Tip #1 - Develop a mental 3D image of the brain

The best way to do this is by studying with multiple sources, like gross anatomical models, cross-sections, and a textbook. Take the pons for example. You should have one picture of the large, zoomed-out view of the pons as it is attached to the brain stem. This makes you see the body part in relation to its surroundings. Your second source will be cross-sections. It is helpful to start from one end and work your way to the other, caudally to rostrally for example. This allows you to view the composition of the pons and relate the position of specific nuclei and tracts to the gross structure. For example, the abducens and facial nuclei appear at the level of the caudal pons. The third source should be a descriptive text that you can read through about the body part. As you read, go back and follow the pictures. Begin to use your own words to state where the specific nuclei appear and how the pons relates to its surroundings. Now you will begin to understand the information from multiple perspectives and construct your own mental image of the human brain.

Study Tip #2 - Use colored pencils.

The Human Brain Coloring Book

High-Yield Neuroanatomy

Study Tip #3 - Terminology is crucial.

Usually terms will give clues about their function and route. Neuroanatomy can have terms that are very easy to confuse, like fasciculus versus funiculus. Moreover, the material tends to build on itself so it is important to understand these differences from the start. For good practice, make photocopies of the illustrations and cross-sections with the labels whited out and go back and quiz yourself by filling them in on your own.

Study Tip #4 - Describe the nerve tracts in your own words.

Studying this way will help you recall a mental image of the pathway, digest it, and transmit it to paper. Take the Medial Lemniscus for example. The first degree neuron has its cell body in the dorsal root ganglion and enters the spinal cord via the medial division. At this point it gives off collaterals and ascends ipsilaterally in the fasciculus gracilis (or cuneatus) to synapse in the nucleus gracilis (or cuneatus) in the caudal medulla. Then the second degree neuron ascends and crosses the midline to form the characteristic shape of the Medial Lemniscus tract between the inferior olivary nucleus. It continues to synapse on the thalamus (now on the contralateral side) where third degree neurons send their axons through the internal capsule to the post-central gyrus. Be sure to note the location of cell bodies in addition to where a specific neuron crosses the midline.

Study Tip #5 - Know the stain.

It is easy to make a simple mistake by not taking the time to consciously note what type of stain is used on a section. During an exam take a second to write, "myelin = white, cell bodies = gray", for example. This will also keep you from jumping to conclusions and matching the wrong words with images. For example, in the medulla the nucleus solitarius can be easily confused with the fasciculus solitarius. By noting the color designation, you will prevent a mistake and correctly identify the fasciculus solitarius as a myelin structure.

Study Tip #5 - Compare cross-sections.

This is helpful if you can gather different sections of the same structure. You would want a caudal, mid, and rostral section of the medulla for example. Focus on the identifying features of each level and their relationship to surrounding structures. Ask yourself, "How do I know I am looking at the mid-medulla?". The Hypoglossal nucleus is only present at that particular level. Focus on the exit or entry of cranial nerves at all levels of the brainstem because this will be extremely important when solving nerve lesion problems.