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THE ULTIMATE GAME-PLAN TO ACE THE LOCOMOTOR MODULE

If you ask someone what the top three most difficult modules are, high chances are the
locomotor will be a part of them. Many people look at all the anatomical structures and
relations and get overwhelmed. The increased focus on pure anatomy relative to other

💪🏻
modules may be off-putting to many. We at MedAngle are here to tell you that you need not be
afraid

While locomotor is quite extensive, it is also quite manageable especially if you focus only on
the high-yield. Always remember that no one, including the teacher, expects you to know
everything. The teacher and examiners are all very understanding and will only test you on
information that is both high-yield and clinically relevant.

Additionally, if you want to make studying anatomy more enjoyable and fulfilling, you can study
with your colleagues, quiz each other on various topics, help clarify each others’
misconceptions, and uplift each other so that you can all succeed in the exams and beyond.

🤝🏻
Remember, this is not a race where only one person has to win, it’s a marathon where everyone
can and should win.

Resources needed 📚
Resources include a mix of long and short books and video resources that complement each
other to help prepare you well for the exams. The specific resources needed are listed under
each subject heading. Keep in mind that these are just recommendations based on personal
experiences and that different people may have different opinions on what resources to use.
And of course, MedAngle for practice questions is the resource that goes without saying.

How to prepare a particular topic? 📝

1) Read & understand the information from the resources that you are using.
2) Memorize important stuff.
3) Solve practice questions on MedAngle to solidify what you have understood and learned.
4) Use the Save Question feature to flag the questions you get wrong on the first attempt
5) Go through the topics whose questions you got wrong

💪🏻
6) Revise the high-yield stuff right before the exam
7) ACE THE EXAM!

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of the particular subjects now - shall we?
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Gross Anatomy:
Gross anatomy is the highlight of this module. It might seem very overwhelming in the
beginning. But if you go about it schematically, and strike the right learning balance, it can
make locomotor your favorite module of this year.

1) Recommended Books 📚
Standard Books
Gray’s and KLM - either of them can work best. To ease the decision of selecting the one that
suits your taste, we have listed out their pros and cons.

Pros Cons

Gray’s Anatomy •More focus on diagram-based •Lacks some minor bits and pieces
for Students learning - simplified illustrations of information that may be relevant
to the exam
(4th edition) •Concise and easy-to-grasp
descriptions - less daunting to read •No tables for nerve or blood
supply
•Better formatting
•Less clinical correlates

KLM Clinically •More information-packed •Text and diagrams are more

Oriented dense and complicated - thorough
Anatomy •Nerve and blood supply tables study is required
and charts - best for revision
(9th edition) •At some places, excessively
•Clinically richer - sufficient detailed - you need to filter
clinical correlates to give you ample information if you want to retain
knowledge for the exam key points

Note: If you decide to primarily use Gray’s, we recommend that you supplement it with the
clinical boxes from KLM. Additionally, you can enhance your learning with Netter’s Atlas of
Human Anatomy when choosing KLM.

Short Revision Book

BRS Anatomy The go-to book for revising all the major topics right before your internal
evaluations and viva exams.

Note: We do not recommend using BRS as the primary book for the locomotor module
because it doesn’t explain everything in as much detail as the long books.
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2) Chapters to be Covered
If you are using Gray’s If you are using KLM

7 Pectoral Girdle and Upper Limb 4 Thorax

(only study the breast anatomy)

6 Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb 7 Lower Limb

3 Thorax 3 Upper Limb

(only study the breast anatomy)

BRS anatomy (Review book)

6 Lower Limb 7 Upper Limb

Netter's Anatomy (Illustration book)

7 Upper Limb 8 Lower Limb

3) Study Strategy for Upper and Lower Limb 📝

You need to adopt an integrated study pattern for studying the limbs. The recommended
sequence to follow for each limb is as follows:
🠆 Bones of the limb
🠆 Muscles of the limb
🠆 Nerve supply of the limb
🠆 Blood supply of the limb
🠆 Landmarks of the limb

Bones of the Limbs 🦴

● You should have the know-how of all the vital bony landmarks. For this, along with
reading from the books, you can choose between different resources. Some of the
options are:
○ Obtain bone models, either by purchasing them, or by borrowing from a senior, or
getting them from your university’s bone lab
○ Use digital anatomical models
○ Use videos. We recommend the following recommended:
■ The Noted Anatomist - Skeleton [Playlist]
■ Ninja Nerd - Bone Anatomy [Playlist]
● Use diagrams in your books or any atlas.
○ Netter’s Atlas (recommended)
○ All the joints are to be thoroughly done as well.
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MedAngle Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Be sure to review the information that you have learned on a regular basis by using your
MedAngle premium subscription to go through the Smart Sets listed below. This will help you
test your knowledge through active recall.
Bones of the Upper Limb
Joints of the Upper Limb
Bones of the Lower Limb
Joints of the Lower Limb

Muscles of the Limbs 💪🏻

● Knowing the major landmarks of the origin and insertions of the muscles and having a
good overall understanding of where the muscle lies is all that you need.

⭐
● Going into the nitty-gritty of the origin and insertions is low-yield.
● Actions of muscles - very important for written exam and viva - especially large
muscles that help in flexion/extension, and adduction/abduction of limbs.
● Must use the muscle tables from KLM/Gray’s/BRS for quick revision.

MedAngle Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Save the trouble of having to re-read later by testing yourself using the MedAngle smart sets.
Whichever questions you get wrong, flag them by using the “Save Question” feature and come
back to them later.
Muscles of the Upper Limb
Muscles of the Lower Limb

Nerve Supply of the Limbs

⭐
● Plexuses of nerves

⭐
○ Brachial plexus for upper limb
○ Lumbosacral plexus for lower limb
Bonus tip: Get a large-sized printout of the two plexuses and display them in a place where
you can often revisit them to get the hand of them. Make sure to draw them out often to
ensure long-term retention of information.

⭐
● Nerve supply of each muscle
● Effects of the injury to a particular nerve
● Cutaneous supply of both the limbs
(knowing the exact dermatomes and their spinal nerve origins are not important)
● Make sure to go through these practice questions before you move on.
○ Nerves of the Upper Limb
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Blood Supply of the Limbs

● Courses and area of supply of the major arteries and veins (It is important to be aware
of the course of arteries and how they are divided into distinct sections by muscles (e.g.,

⭐
how axillary artery is divided by pectoralis minor muscle)
● Key anastomoses (Make sure you understand all of these thoroughly)

Upper Limb Lower Limb

1) Anastomosis around the shoulder 1) Trochanteric and obturator anastomoses

(scapular anastomosis)
2) Pelvic and gluteal anastomoses

2) Anastomosis around the elbow joint 3) Cruciate anastomosis

3) Anastomoses of the wrist and hand 4) Popliteal and patellar anastomoses

5) Ankle and foot anastomoses

MedAngle Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Blood supply of the Upper Limb
Blood supply of the Lower Limb

Landmarks of the Limbs

This portion is the most important from exam point-of-view. This can be either covered by
doing clinical boxes from KLM or reading through the relevant sections in Gray’s along with
their diagrams.

Landmarks Of Upper Limb Landmarks Of Lower Limb

1) Quadrangular space 1) Femoral triangle, ring, and canal

2) Upper and lower triangular space 2) Femoral sheath

3) Cubital fossa, Ulnar tunnel 3) Popliteal fossa

4) Bicipital aponeurosis 4) Adductor hiatus and canal

5) Anatomical Snuffbox 5) Saphenous opening or fossa ovalis

6) Compartments and potential spaces of 6) Pes anserinus

hand
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MedAngle Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Using your premium MedAngle subscription, solve these questions and use the explanations
to clear any confusions that may have been left unaddressed.

Landmarks of the Upper Limb

Landmarks of the Lower Limb

4) Study Strategy for Axilla and Breast

Prepare the topics in the same sequence as mentioned below.

Axilla Fasciae of axilla and pectoral Breast Anatomy of the breast

regions Anatomy of the mammary gland
Boundaries of axilla Vasculature of the breast
Contents of axilla Nerves of the breast
Axillary lymph nodes Lymphatic drainage of the breast

5) Video Resources Commonly Used By Students*

● AnatomyZone
● KenHub (especially for muscles)
● Osmosis

General Embryology:
Embryology is a relatively easy and minor subject in this module so no need to worry too much
about it. Much of what you cover will also be relevant to Physiology, so do not worry about
revising the content. Solving the listed smart sets is also a quick and simple way of covering all
the high-yield content.

1) Recommended Books 📚
The Developing Human Clinically Oriented A detailed book with excellent diagrams.
Embryology (11th ed) [KLM Embryology]

Langman’s Medical Embryology (15th ed) A much more concise book as compared to
KLM.
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2) Chapters to be Covered

If you are using KLM Embryology If you are using Langman

14 Skeletal System 10 The Axial Skeleton

15 Muscular System 11 Muscular System

16 Development of Limbs 12 Limbs

19 Integumentary System (mammary 21 Integumentary System

glands only) (mammary glands only)

Knowing how bones develop, the types of ossification, and some examples of bones that
undergo each type of ossification are of particular importance.

MedAngle Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Use your MedAngle premium subscription to learn much more with minimum time and effort.
Development of Bone, Cartilage, and Joints
Development of Limbs
Development of Muscles

4) Video Resources Commonly Used By Students*

These videos by Ninja Nerd on YouTube can be useful.
Embryology | Development of Skeletal System
Embryology | Development of Muscular System

The following video might also help clear some of your concepts:
DEVELOPMENT OF LIMBS

General Histology:
Histology is also a relatively simple subject with regards to content but it does count a lot as
examiners like to test your knowledge using histological slide preparations. Go through the
diagrams in your book carefully because both theory and viva exams include OSPE questions
from locomotor histology.
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1) Recommended Books 📚
Histology holds significant weight despite its relatively straightforward content. The
recommended book for this subject is Junqueira’s Basic Histology (15th edition).

Medical Histology by Laiq Hussain (8th edition) may also be used. However, it is to be noted
that Junqueira is the standard book with a more conceptual approach and excellent diagrams,
tables, and summaries. Conversely, Laiq Hussain is a concise book that only gives you the
information you need.

2) Chapters to be Covered
Junqueira Laiq Hussain

7 Cartilage 7 Cartilage

8 Bone 8 Bone

10 Muscular Tissue 10 Muscle Tissue

3) MedAngle Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Histology of Cartilage
Histology of Bone
Bone Formation and Remodeling
Histology of Skeletal Muscle

Biochemistry:
This might be the most straightforward subject for the locomotor module since almost
everything is repeated from your foundation module syllabus. There are only a handful of extra
details that you might need to remember. The biochemistry of bones and cartilages are the
pillars on which your locomotor Physiology and Pathology will stand. Give this subject the due
time, do it before all the other subjects in order to understand them better.

1) Recommended Books 📚
Lippincott Illustrated Reviews Biochemistry (8th edition) is more than enough for this module.
You can also read through the relevant lecture slides since they condense all the information
you need in a digestible package. Refrain from depending on any short books as they do not
cover all the topics that are important for the exams.
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2) Chapters to be Covered (from Lippincott)

4 Fibrous Proteins

14 Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans

27 Minerals (Calcium and Phosphorus)

28 Vitamins (Vitamin D)

3) Important Topics:
Interpretation of markers of bone diseases ⭐
You can do this topic from lecture slides. For more in depth explanations, one can refer to
Chatterjea’s Medical Biochemistry (11th ed. Chapter 35 page 643)

Vitamin D metabolism ⭐
Knowing the locations and enzymes involved in the reactions related to Vitamin D metabolism
is important.

Calcium Regulation ⭐
You should know the details pertaining to hypercalcemia, and hypocalcemia, their relations
with tetany, and the types of tetany.

4) MedAngle Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
The high yield sets for this particular subject are as follows:
Biochemistry of Neurotransmitters
Biochemistry of Extracellular Matrix, Bones, and Cartilage

Pathology:
Ever heard your old neighbor complaining about her back pain? Once you are done with
locomotor pathology, you will understand the cause (spoiler alert: it’s probably osteoarthritis).
Pathology is considered to be a minor subject for the locomotor module as it includes only one
chapter. Integrating the Clinicals Cases from KLM with the pathophysiology you learn in
pathology is really important. Avoid remembering every little detail, especially the
epidemiology, and focus more on just the main disease processes.
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1) Recommended Books 📚
We highly recommend using Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease - 11th edition
(simply known as Basis) as your main textbook as it covers every topic in full detail and helps
you prepare well for the MCQ and viva questions that you will face during your exams.

If you feel you are short on time and cannot cover every topic extensively, then you can also
opt for using the:
● Pathoma (2023) book + video lecture series
● Pocket Companion to Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease (affectionately
known as Baby Basis), which is a summarized version of Basis.

2) Chapters to be Covered
If you are using Basis If you are using Pathoma

26 Bones, Joints, and Soft Tissue Tumors 18 Musculoskeletal Pathology**

**Tumors are not included in the syllabus. If opting for Pathoma, make sure to cover skeletal syphilis from any other resource.

3) Important Topics
Fractures ⭐
You need to understand the types of fractures, their etiologies, their locations, and effect on
associated structures (e.g. midshaft fracture of humerus damages the radial nerve), and their
healing process.

Osteoporosis ⭐
Every examiner loves to ask about the pathophysiology and causes of osteoporosis. You must
know the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis, it is frequently asked in the viva.

Paget’s Disease ⭐
Remembering this disease is equivalent to knowing the answer to almost every other BCQ in
your exam!

4) MedAngle Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Studying cases, thinking about the given information, and forming a diagnosis help you to
become a better pathologist. With MedAngle’s smart sets, you can do exactly that. The
high-yield sets for this module are as follows:
Metabolic Bone Diseases
Development and Genetic Diseases
Muscular Dystrophies and Neuromuscular Junction Disorders
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Physiology:
In contrast to the blood module, the physiology of the locomotor serves as a breath of fresh air
- there is not a lot of new information for you to learn from scratch. In fact, most of it consists
of topics that you have already covered in high school (e.g. the basic concepts of impulse
transmission and muscle contraction).

1) Recommended Books 📚
Standard Books
Guyton and Hall’s Textbook A very detailed book. Considered the gold-standard 🌟
of Medical Physiology
(14th edition)

Physiology by Costanzo Concise as compared to Guyton. If you think Guyton is too

(7th edition) extensive for your taste, then this one is for you.

Short Revision Book

BRS Physiology (8th edition) BRS is the way to go for quick revision right before exam.

2) Chapters to be Covered
If you are using Guyton

5 Membrane Potentials and Action Potentials

6 Contraction of Skeletal Muscle

7 Excitation of Skeletal Muscle

8 Excitation and Contraction of Smooth Muscle

47 Sensory receptors, Neuronal Circuits for Processing Information

(only cover the subtopic “Nerve Fibers That Transmit Different Types of Signals and Their
Physiological Classification”)

49 Somatic Sensations: II (only cover the subtopics related to pain)

80 Parathyroid Hormone, Calcitonin, Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism, Vitamin D,

Bone, and Teeth

85 Sports Physiology
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If you are using Costanzo

1 • Diffusion Potentials and Equilibrium Potential

• Resting Membrane Potential
• Action Potentials
• Synaptic and Neuromuscular Transmission (everything except neurotransmitters)
• Skeletal Muscle
• Smooth Muscle

3 • Neurophysiology
◦ General Features of Sensory and Motor System (only cover “Types of Nerve
Fibers” and Table 3.1)

If you are using BRS Physiology

1 Pages 7-22

2 Pages 36-39

3 Pages 245-249

3) Important Topics
Muscle Contraction ⭐
How it differs in smooth, skeletal, and cardiac muscles (make tables or flowcharts to help
keep the respective proteins and mechanisms on your fingertips). Make sure to understand the
difference between two types of muscle fibres as they are frequently tested in vivas.

Impulse Transmission ⭐
The differences between diffusion potential, equilibrium potential, and action potential
should be clear. All the stages in the generation of an action potential should be memorized,
with an understanding of the action potential graph.

Calcium and Phosphate Regulation ⭐

How these are absorbed and removed by the body, and how vitamin D plays a part in their
body levels.

Sports Physiology ⭐
This can be studied in great detail from Guyton, however, you can augment your learning by
also covering this topic from the lecture slides.

Types of Nerves Fibers ⭐

This topic is frequently tested. Only a basic understanding of this topic is required since it will
be covered in much more detail in the neuroscience module in the second year.
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Muscular Twitch, Summations and Tetanization ⭐

The description of their graphs as well as the general concept behind these should be well
understood since they are frequently assessed in both the theory and viva exams. You should
also be aware of the difference between tetany and tetanus.

4) MedAngle Smart Sets for Smart Study (All these are clickable links to respective smart sets.)
Be sure to review the information that you have learned on a regular basis by using your
MedAngle premium subscription to go through the Smart Sets listed below. This will help you
test your knowledge through active recall.
Excitation and Contraction of Skeletal Muscle
Excitation and Contraction of Smooth Muscle
Synaptic Transmission
Calcium and Phosphate Regulation

5) Video Resources Commonly Used By Students*

● Ninja Nerd
● Boards and Beyond
● Osmosis

6) Friendly Advice
While locomotor physiology is not very difficult concepts-wise, it is still quite lengthy. The best
course of action, therefore, would be to try and complete it in the initial few weeks, not leaving
it for the end. Moreover, once you are done with the syllabus, keep solving questions for the
remainder of the time period so that all the concepts stay fresh in your mind. This way, you will
not have to go through the long books again before the exam; just using BRS would then be
adequate.

Orthopedics and Radiology:

These subjects fall under the 'medicine' category and make up most of your case-based
learning (CBL) topics. It is best to pay attention to your CBL lectures, actively note down what
is being taught, and go through the lecture slides while preparing for the exams. If you feel the
need to have more clarity on radiology, you can watch YouTube videos on the basics that you
learned in classes.

Important Study Resources

Upper Limb radiography*
Lower Limb radiography*
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Community Medicine and Behavioural Science

Like the previous two modules, these subjects remain low-yield in locomotor as well. You can
easily cover these by going through the lecture slides and solving questions on MedAngle.

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

Snakebite
Disaster management
Health information, education, and communication

That was all of the locomotor module.

BEST OF LUCK! YOU GOT THIS.

[ALL THE LINKS TO SMART SETS AND VIDEO RESOURCES ARE CLICKABLE]

*Please note that MedAngle has no affiliation with the quoted resources. We can not officially comment on the credibility of these resources.
The same goes for non-standard textbook resources.