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Neuroanatomy
A major chunk of the neuroscience module is neuroanatomy. This subject is quite extensive
and, honestly, a lot to take in at once. However, once you get the hang of it, it might be the
most interesting subject you come across during your MBBS (or so has been said by some
brilliant minds).

If you’re confused about where to get started, here’s a simple flowchart to help you track your
progress:

(1) Chapters to be Covered*

● Snell’s Clinical Neuroanatomy: This is the standard textbook for studying neuroanatomy.
It is detailed, comprehensive, and contains plenty of diagrams, tables, and clinical cases.
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Snell’s Clinical Neuroanatomy (8th ed.)

Chapter Title Chapter Title

4 Spinal Cord and Tracts 11 Cranial Nerve Nuclei

5 Brainstem 12 Thalamus

6 Cerebellum and its 13 Hypothalamus

Connections

7 Cerebrum 14 Autonomic Nervous System

8 Structural and Functional 15 Meninges

Localization of Cerebral Cortex

9 Reticular Formation and Limbic 16 Ventricular System and

System Cerebrospinal Fluid

10 Basal Nuclei 17 Blood Supply of the Brain and

Spinal Cord

Senior’s Recommended Books ***

BRS Neuroanatomy A concise review book, great for last-minute revision of
the main points from each chapter.

Kaplan Neuroanatomy Notes A book containing a summary of Kaplan Neuroanatomy

videos used for quick revision.

Terse Neuroanatomy A short book used by some students to memorize key

points

(2) Important Topics

Ascending and descending tracts ⭐
Brainstem and contents on each level ⭐
Cerebellum and the connections ⭐
Cerebrum and localization of cortex ⭐
Reticular formation and limbic system ⭐
Basal ganglia⭐
⭐
Cranial nerves
Thalamus and hypothalamus ⭐
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Meninges
Blood supply of brain and spinal cord ⭐
(3) Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Be sure to review the information that you have learned regularly by using your MedAngle
premium subscription to go through the Smart Sets listed below. This will help you test your
knowledge through active recall.
Organization of nervous system
Spinal cord anatomy
Cerebellum anatomy
Brainstem anatomy
Cerebrum anatomy
Thalamus anatomy
Hypothalamus anatomy
Limbic system anatomy
Autonomic nervous system
Ventricular system
Basal ganglia anatomy
Blood supply of brain and spinal cord
Cranial nerves and their central connections
Meninges
Blood-brain barrier
Pineal gland anatomy

(4) Video Resources Commonly Used by Students**

● Dr. Najeeb
● Osmosis
● Ninja Nerd
● Kaplan Neuroanatomy

(5) Friendly Advice

● Remember that every student is different with different learning styles; what works for
one of you may not work for the other. Explore all resources and strategies and then
choose the one that works best for you.
● With an extensive syllabus, efficient revision and recall can save your life. Incorporate
Smart Sets into your daily routine to memorize things effectively.
● Lastly, time management is key. Make weekly plans and stick to them as much as you
can.
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Histology

(1) Chapters to be Covered*

Junqueira’s Histology (16th ed.)

Chapter 9 Nerve Tissue & the Nervous System

Laiq Hussain’s Histology (8th ed.)

Chapter 11 Nervous Tissue

Chapter 12 Cerebrum, Cerebellum, and Spinal Cord

(2) Important Topics

Types of sensory receptors ⭐
Neurons and neuroglia ⭐
Layers of ⭐
Cerebral cortex
Cerebellar cortex

(3) Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Using your MedAngle premium subscription, be sure to go through these Smart Sets:

Structure of neuron and neuroglia

Histology of cerebral cortex
Histology of cerebellar cortex

(6) Friendly Advice

Histology is probably the easiest subject of this module and it is highly connected with all
other subjects. Keep an eye on all mini micro-sized cells and remember their location. It is
important to learn all the layers of the cerebrum & cerebellum and their special features as
this tiny piece of information might help you sweep your mid-term viva exams.
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Embryology
(1) Chapters to be Covered*

Langman’s Medical Embryology (14th The Developing Human by Keith L. Moore

ed.) (11th ed.)

Chapter 18 Central Nervous System Chapter 17 Nervous System

Seniors' Recommended Books***

Human Embryology by Sharjeel Usmani (7th edition)

Chapter 19 Nervous system

(2) Important topics

Derivatives of the forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain ⭐
Formation of primitive brain vesicles and flexures ⭐
Layers and development of primitive spinal cord ⭐
⭐
Congenital abnormalities: spina bifida occulta,
meningocele, and hydrocephalus

(3) Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to
respective smart sets.)

Use your MedAngle premium subscription to solve questions

from the following Smart Sets:

Development of nervous system and meninges

Development of brain
Development of spinal cord
Birth defects of brain

(4) Video Resources Commonly Used by Students**

● Ninja Nerd Lectures
● Dr. Najeeb

(5) Friendly Advice

Embryology of this module is not too extensive. Make sure you know the derivates of
different parts of the brain and spinal. Additionally, congenital anomalies may sound
confusing at first but focus on the terms to understand their distinctive features.
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Biochemistry

(1) Chapters to be Covered*

There aren't any particular books for neurobiochemistry mentioned in the syllabus so it is
recommended that you study some chapters from Lippincott and refer to your lecture slides
for the rest.

(i) From Lippincott (8th ed.)

Chapter 17 Glycosphingolipids Chapter 29 Vitamins (B1, B6, B9, and B12)

(ii) From lecture slides

Neurotransmitters Neurodegenerative Diseases Blood-Brain Barrier

(2) Practicals

⭐ ⭐
Follow your university practicals strictly and pay keen attention to the slides on lumbar
puncture and CSF analysis .

(3) Important Topics

Neurotransmitters ⭐
Synthesis
Action
Degradation
Neurodegenerative diseases ⭐
Alzheimer disease
Parkinson disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Huntington disease
Lipid storage diseases ⭐
Krabbe disease
Gaucher disease
Tay-Sachs disease
⭐
Brain lipids
Vitamins ⭐
Dietary source
Function
Recommended dietary allowance (RDA)
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Cerebrospinal Fluid
Production
Composition
Associated disorders (types of meningitis)

(4) Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Using your MedAngle premium subscription, be sure to go through these Smart Sets:
Blood-brain barrier
Neurolipids
Biochemistry of neurotransmitters
Serotonin and pain
Free radicals
Brain needs in different metabolic states
Neurodegenerative diseases

(5) Friendly Advice

● Remember to do the clinical cases mentioned in this module, especially those of
neurodegenerative diseases and their biochemical causes as they are very important
from an exam perspective.
● During your cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis labs, you’ll get to know about some
conditions where levels of proteins and glucose are altered. Do not miss them whenever
you have your vivas.
● For this, MedAngle’s MCQ section is your best friend! Practice questions daily to retain
what you have learned throughout the module.

Physiology
(1) Chapters to be Covered*

Guyton & Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (14th ed.)

Unit IX The Nervous System: A. General Principles and Sensory

Unit XI The Nervous System: C. Motor and Integrative Physiology

Seniors' Recommended Books***

Firdaus Review of Physiology (21st ed.)

Chapter 9 Central Nervous system

Chapter 10 Autonomic Nervous System

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(2) Important Topics

Overview of the Nervous System and Impulse Transmission ⭐

Having a good idea of the general organization of the nervous system is extremely important
so make sure you go through this topic thoroughly. The different types of neurons and
neuronal circuits are necessary to know as well.

Somatic Sensations and Sensory Receptors ⭐

The topic of somatic sensations should be read alongside the correlating chapter in
neuroanatomy i.e., the ascending sensory tracts of the spinal cord. This will help consolidate
the functions of these tracts and enable you to understand the relevant clinicals easily. The
different types of sensory receptors in addition to their functions are essential to know as
well.

Motor Functions and Reflexes of the Spinal Cord ⭐

First of all, thoroughly read and understand how the spinal cord controls and facilitates
motor function and form a clear map of the motor pathways in your mind. Second, take a
look at the associated diseases and link them to what you have studied. Don’t forget to read
up on the various cord reflexes (stretch reflex, Golgi tendon reflex, withdrawal reflex) as
these are frequently tested.

Functions of the Basal Ganglia ⭐

Remember to go through the functions of the different components of the basal ganglia in
detail and learn how to differentiate between them. In addition, you might be asked to
differentiate between basal ganglia and cerebellar lesions and their symptoms.

Learning and Memory ⭐

The stages of learning and memory formation, as well as the different types of memory,
should be known thoroughly.

Sleep and Brain Waves ⭐

EEG and brain waves are a common topic for OSPEs and vivas. The different stages of sleep
are important to know as well.

Autonomic Nervous System ⭐

Go through everything in detail from Guyton and learn the various neurotransmitters and
receptors involved in impulse transmission of the autonomic nervous system. The different
functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems along with their effects on the
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory organs should be memorized.
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CSF Production and Brain Metabolism ⭐

The process of CSF production is tested frequently, as well as its physiological composition
and drainage. Having a good understanding of the nutritional needs of the brain is also
important.

(3) Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Using your MedAngle premium subscription, be sure to go through these Smart Sets:
Limbic system and hypothalamus
Somatic sensations and sensory receptors
Motor functions of spinal cord and reflexes
Cortical and brainstem control of motor function
Role of cerebellum and basal ganglia in motor control
Cerebral cortex learning and memory
Sleep
Functions of autonomic nervous system
Cerebral blood flow and brain metabolism
Neuron membrane potential
Types classifications and functions of nerve fibers
Organization of ascending and descending pathways
Physiology of cerebrospinal fluid
Physiology of neurotransmitters
Physiology of pain

(4) Video Resources Commonly Used by Students**

● Dr. Najeeb’s Lectures
● Osmosis
● Ninja Nerd

(5) Friendly advice

● There’s only one piece of advice you should keep in mind for neuroscience physiology —
do not leave it till the last minute! The sheer volume of information can send your mind
spinning and be pretty intimidating, but remember that it is doable if you maintain a
steady pace.
● It is advised to study anatomy before studying the physiology of a particular region of
the brain. Things will make more sense this way.
● Keep revising the main concepts of each chapter and solve questions from MedAngle
to better understand how those concepts are tested.
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What did the hippocampus say during its retirement speech?

“Thanks for the memories”
To understand this and some amazing things about your brain, study smart for the very
first module of the second year.

BEST OF LUCK! YOU GOT THIS.

*
Chapter numbers may vary with different editions of the books.
**
Please note that MedAngle has no affiliation with the quoted video resources. Therefore, we can not officially
comment on the credibility of these resources.
***The Senior’s Recommended Books are widely used in KMDC for revision. However, these books are
unsuitable for building your concepts and may contain outdated information.