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Anatomy-focused Osmosis Overview

Nov 7, 2025

Overview

Osmosis Medical Library for MD students provides structured, expert-reviewed resources spanning foundational and clinical sciences, clerkships, and USMLE review. The Anatomy section lists comprehensive topics with gross anatomy and clinical correlates.

Platform Highlights

  • Membership offers thousands of videos covering pathology, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical decision-making.
  • New expert-reviewed videos added weekly; access via Osmosis Plan membership.
  • Library organized by programs (MD/DO/PA/NP/RN/LPN/Dentistry/Pharmacy/Health Professional).

Library Structure (MD – USMLE)

  • Categories: Basic Sciences, Foundational Sciences, Organ Systems, USMLE Step 1 Review.
  • Clinical Sciences: Clerkships, USMLE Step 2 Review, Featured Series, Core Competencies.
  • Extensive Anatomy coverage with sub-regions and clinical correlates.

Anatomy: Introduction Topics

  • Anatomical terminology and core systems: cardiovascular, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal.
  • Nervous system introductions: central and peripheral; somatic and autonomic.

Anatomy: Abdomen

  • Gross anatomy: abdominal wall, quadrants/planes, peritoneum, diaphragm, inguinal region, posterior wall vessels/nerves/muscles.
  • Viscera: blood supply (foregut/midgut/hindgut), innervation, esophagus, stomach, small/large intestine, liver/biliary/gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys/ureters/suprarenals.
  • Clinical correlates: abdominal wall, inguinal region, GI viscera, other organs, peritoneum/diaphragm.

Anatomy: Back

  • Gross anatomy: vertebral bones/joints, vertebral canal, suboccipital region, back muscles, vessels and nerves.
  • Spinal cord pathways: ascending and descending tracts.
  • Clinical correlates: bones/joints/muscles, spinal pathways, vertebral canal.

Anatomy: Brain

  • Gross anatomy: cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, limbic system, diencephalon, cerebellum, brainstem, white matter tracts.
  • Circulation and CSF: blood supply, cranial meninges/dural sinuses, ventricular system.
  • Clinical correlates: anterior/posterior circulation, cerebellum/brainstem, cerebral hemispheres.

Anatomy: Cranial Nerves

  • Overview: introduction and pathways for CN I–XII.
  • Individual nerves: olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, abducens, trigeminal, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, spinal accessory, hypoglossal.
  • Clinical correlates: grouped by nerve sets reflecting common lesions and functions.

Anatomy: Head

  • Gross anatomy: cranial base, cranium bones, face/scalp muscles, nerves/vessels.
  • Regions: orbit, eye, external/middle/inner ear, nose/paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, tongue.
  • Fossae and joints: infratemporal, pterygopalatine (sphenopalatine), temporomandibular joint, mastication muscles, salivary glands.
  • Clinical correlates: ear, eye, skull/face/scalp, temporal/oral/nasal regions.

Anatomy: Neck

  • Gross anatomy: bones, fascia/spaces, superficial anterior/posterior triangles, cervical plexus.
  • Deep neck: prevertebral muscles, root of the neck.
  • Viscera and lymphatics: larynx/trachea, pharynx/esophagus, thyroid/parathyroids, lymphatics.
  • Clinical correlates: bones/fascia/muscles; vessels/nerves/lymphatics; neck viscera.

Anatomy: Thorax

  • Thoracic wall: bones/joints, muscles, vessels and nerves.
  • Mediastinum: superior and inferior compartments.
  • Organs: heart, coronary circulation, lungs, tracheobronchial tree, pleura, breast.
  • Clinical correlates: thoracic wall, mediastinum, pleura/lungs, heart, breast.

Anatomy: Upper Limb

  • Bones and fascia: pectoral/scapular regions, axilla; bones of upper limb.
  • Joints: sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, glenohumeral, elbow, radioulnar, wrist/hand.
  • Neurovascular: brachial plexus, vessels and nerves of forearm and hand.
  • Muscles: arm, forearm, hand.
  • Clinical correlates: axilla; clavicle/shoulder; arm/elbow/forearm; median/ulnar/radial nerves; wrist/hand.

Anatomy: Lower Limb

  • Bones and regions: hip joint, tibiofibular joints, popliteal fossa, leg, foot.
  • Joints: ankle and foot.
  • Muscles and neurovascular: gluteal/posterior thigh muscles; vessels and nerves in gluteal/posterior thigh.
  • Clinical correlates: hip/gluteal/thigh; knee; leg/ankle; foot.

Anatomy: Pelvis and Perineum

  • Pelvic cavity and girdle; perineum organization.
  • Urogenital: male/female reproductive organs; male/female urogenital triangles; urinary organs.
  • Vasculature/innervation: arteries/veins, nerves/lymphatics of pelvis.
  • Clinical correlates: male and female pelvis/perineum.

Structured Topic Map (Anatomy)

Region/SystemSubsectionsKey Focus AreasClinical Correlates Available
IntroductionSystem overviewsTerminology; cardio, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal; CNS/PNS; SNS/ANSNo
AbdomenGross; VisceraWall, peritoneum, diaphragm, inguinal; GI organs, hepatobiliary, pancreas, spleen, kidneysYes
BackGross; PathwaysVertebral bones/joints/canal; back muscles; ascending/descending tractsYes
BrainGross; Circulation/CSFCortex, basal ganglia, limbic, diencephalon, cerebellum, brainstem; meninges, sinuses, ventriclesYes
Cranial NervesOverview; Individual CNCN I–XII anatomy and pathwaysYes
HeadBones/Regions; OrgansCranial base; face/scalp; orbit/eye; ear; nose/sinuses; oral cavity; TMJ/mastication; salivaryYes
NeckSuperficial/Deep; VisceraTriangles; cervical plexus; prevertebral; root of neck; thyroid/parathyroid; lymphaticsYes
ThoraxWall; Mediastinum; OrgansRibs/joints; muscles; vessels/nerves; heart/coronaries; lungs/pleura; breastYes
Upper LimbBones/Joints; Neurovascular; MusclesShoulder girdle to hand joints; brachial plexus; vessels/nerves; arm/forearm/hand musclesYes
Lower LimbBones/Joints; RegionsHip, knee, ankle/foot; leg/foot; popliteal fossa; gluteal/posterior thighYes
Pelvis/PerineumPelvic/Perineal; SystemsPelvic cavity/girdle; urogenital triangles; reproductive/urinary organs; vasculature/innervationYes

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Foundational Sciences: Core preclinical subjects including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and related disciplines.
  • Clinical Correlates: Applied anatomy topics linking structure to common pathologies, exams, and procedures.
  • Mediastinum: Central thoracic compartment containing heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, and related structures.
  • Brachial Plexus: Network of nerves supplying the upper limb, originating from C5–T1 spinal nerves.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review Introduction to Anatomy topics to establish terminology and systems overview.
  • Progress through regional anatomy sections; pair gross anatomy with corresponding clinical correlates.
  • Use Osmosis Plan membership to access videos for listed Anatomy topics and broader MD curriculum.
  • Utilize Clerkships and USMLE Step 1/2 Review sections to align study with exam and rotation needs.