what is the format of the spot test? I ask because I have just finished a degree in anatomy and have been used to doing it with prosections infront of you on the table... This is the easier way of doing a spotter as you can have a good look around the prosection before you answer your question.
Normally in this kind of test there are prosections infront of you and you have approx. a minute to identify the structure pierced by a flag. In cardiff we have 2 part questions - ie whats this structure? and then whats its job/innervation/attachment/origin.
Since starting my med degree we have had a change in the format of exam as they've brought in computerised marking. This now involves taking the spotter in a lecture theatre with a 2D image. The problems accountered with this is that they have to zoom in on the specimen to gain clarity, but you lose partially, your orientation!... don't be too concerned, using a topographical anatomy book like McMinns to help you with this...Also the sections used WILL be more obvious than the ones that you have dissected out previously!!!!
This kind of spotter also requires you to answer 1 Q a min and takes the same form as the above type. Some excellent websites are as follows:
http://www.netanatomy.com/
http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPa...Y/ANATOMY.html
http://www.linkpublishing.com/interactive%20exams.htm
The first two are excellent for practising spot exams with x-sectional anatomy, whereas the last is a great little site with exams for every bit of the medicine course!!!
My pointers would be (and I told these to the students I demonstrate to)
*Don't panic - have a good look at the q and the section
*If you don't know what it is check its origin and insertion (even if its a nerve!
)
*Go with your first instinct! - don't change your mind.. I have dropped marks doing this
*know the function of most large structure
*know blood vessels (I had a student ask me if they needed to know blood supply! - yes! I know!!!)
hope this helps and best of luck to you, they aren't sooooo bad, but are scary your first time!
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