Master Anatomy
for PMDC NLE Step 1
Access 50+ high-yield questions tailored for the 2026 syllabus. Includes AI-powered explanations and performance tracking.
Core Concepts
Anatomy is the study of the body's structure. For PMDC NLE Step 1, prioritize clinically relevant gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, and basic embryology.
- General Anatomy:
- Planes: Sagittal, Coronal, Transverse. Terms: Superior/Inferior, Anterior/Posterior, Medial/Lateral, Proximal/Distal.
- Joints: Synovial (capsule, fluid, cartilage), Fibrous, Cartilaginous.
- Neuroanatomy (High-Yield):
- Cranial Nerves (I-XII): Name, basic function, and classic deficits (e.g., CN VII: Bell's Palsy, CN X: uvula deviation).
- Brain: Lobes (function), CSF flow, major cerebral arteries (Circle of Willis, MCA, ACA, PCA territories & stroke symptoms).
- Spinal Cord: Major tracts (Corticospinal, Spinothalamic, Dorsal Column). Dermatomes & Myotomes. Cauda Equina Syndrome.
- Autonomic NS: Sympathetic (thoracolumbar) vs. Parasympathetic (craniosacral).
- Cardiovascular System:
- Heart: Chambers, valves, coronary arteries (LAD, RCA).
- Major Vessels: Aorta branches, carotid, subclavian, femoral arteries. SVC, IVC, jugular, hepatic portal system.
- Lymphatics: Key drainage areas (axillary, inguinal), thoracic duct termination.
- Respiratory System: Lungs (lobes, segments), pleura. Diaphragm (Phrenic nerve C3-C5).
- Gastrointestinal System:
- Major organs. Blood Supply: Celiac trunk (foregut), SMA (midgut), IMA (hindgut).
- Peritoneum: Omenta, Mesenteries. Common hernia sites (inguinal canal).
- Musculoskeletal System:
- Upper Limb: Brachial plexus (Median, Ulnar, Radial nerve injuries), Rotator Cuff, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Lower Limb: Femoral triangle. Sciatic nerve (Common Peroneal injury: foot drop). Knee ligaments (ACL, PCL).
- Spine: Vertebral anatomy, intervertebral discs.
Clinical Presentation
- Nerve Injuries:
- Radial: Wrist drop. Ulnar: Claw hand. Median: Ape hand. Common Peroneal: Foot drop. Phrenic: Diaphragmatic paralysis.
- Referred Pain: Diaphragm (shoulder tip), Appendicitis (periumbilical to RLQ).
- Hernias: Inguinal (direct/indirect), femoral.
- Cranial Nerve Lesions: Diplopia, ptosis, facial droop, dysphagia.
- Compartment Syndromes: Pain out of proportion, pallor, paresthesia, pulselessness, paralysis.
Diagnosis (Gold Standard)
Anatomical knowledge underpins physical examination and imaging interpretation.
- Physical Examination: Palpation (pulses, nodes, landmarks), Auscultation (heart, lung, bowel sounds), Neurological exam (CN, dermatomes, myotomes, reflexes).
- Imaging:
- X-ray: Fractures, dislocations.
- CT Scan: Detailed bone, acute hemorrhage, cross-sectional anatomy.
- MRI: Soft tissue (brain, spinal cord, ligaments, tendons).
- Ultrasound: Abdominal/pelvic organs, vascular flow.
Management (First Line)
Surgical and interventional management relies on precise anatomical understanding to ensure efficacy and prevent injury.
- Surgical Approaches: Knowledge of incision sites (e.g., McBurney's), anatomical layers, and vital structures.
- Vascular Access: Central Venous Catheters (Internal Jugular, Subclavian, Femoral Vein) – knowing landmarks and adjacent structures.
- Nerve Blocks: Precise needle placement guided by anatomical landmarks.
Exam Red Flags
- Foramina/Canals & Contents: Skull base (e.g., Jugular foramen: CN IX, X, XI; Superior Orbital Fissure: CN III, IV, V1, VI).
- Triangles of the Neck: Carotid triangle contents.
- Embryological Remnants: Thyroglossal duct cyst, Meckel's diverticulum.
- Common Sites for Nerve Compression: Carpal tunnel (median nerve), Thoracic outlet syndrome.
- Lymphatic Drainage Patterns: Crucial for understanding cancer metastasis (e.g., breast cancer to axillary nodes).
- Blood Supply to Organs: Especially end arteries and anastomoses.
Sample Practice Questions
A 40-year-old female presents with a sudden onset of left-sided facial weakness. She reports difficulty closing her left eye, smiling on the left side, and a loss of taste sensation on the anterior two-thirds of her tongue. Her forehead also appears smooth on the left side, and she notes hypersensitivity to sound in her left ear.
A 22-year-old female presents with a 12-hour history of abdominal pain. Initially, the pain was diffuse and periumbilical but has now localized to the right lower quadrant. She also reports nausea and anorexia. On examination, there is tenderness and guarding at McBurney's point, and rebound tenderness is present. The initial periumbilical pain experienced by the patient is primarily referred pain due to irritation of which anatomical structures?
A 45-year-old construction worker presents to the emergency department after falling from a ladder, landing on an outstretched hand. He complains of inability to extend his wrist and fingers, a condition often described as "wrist drop." He also reports numbness on the dorsum of his hand. Which of the following nerves is most likely injured in this patient?
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