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Netter's Anatomy Flashcards
Posted 10/24/2008 at 11:08:03am | by Joe Rybicki

netters screen
Netter's Anatomy's images display complex structures clearly and in great detail.

The paper edition of Netter's medical-student resource is a bulky collection of over 300 flash cards. Netter's Anatomy on the iPhone not only compresses this to pocket size, it also adds helpful features, sacrificing none of its usefulness in the process. Your next doctor may have trained on an iPhone, and that's a good thing.

Using an easy-to-navigate interface, Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards offers an exhaustive overview of the human body. Each each image provides enough detail to allow users to zoom in closely on complex structures. Each card includes an extensive description of the body part pictured, as well as a selection of pins pointing out the individual components, with links to more information. Cards even include handy, Google search shortcuts.

But convenience isn't the app's only strong suit. It also provides a quiz function to test students' anatomical knowledge. Unfortunately, the quiz is basic, prompting users to find a structure by tapping on its pin, with no score tracking or other niceties. But given that so much of anatomy study is memorization and structure-recognition, this simplicity can be forgiven.


netters pic 2
Find other cards with similar structures and a search link by tapping on pins.

We were surprised that the app organizes the cards by body region without also allowing students to sort by system. Most anatomy teachers follow that related-structure approach. But the simple bookmark function offers a usable workaround, allowing students to manually group similar body parts for future review.

THE BOTTOM LINE
This venerable tool for medical students is reproduced faithfully, with new, helpful features. It's nearly indispensable for medical students of all levels.

Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards

COMPANY: Modality
CONTACT: www.modalitylearning.com
PRICE: $39.99
REQUIREMENTS: iPhone or iPod touch with 2.0 Software Update.
Exhaustive selection of anatomical information. Detailed images suitable for zooming in closely. Helpful quiz function.
Cards are organized by body region, not system. Quizzes lack depth.
4/5
COMMENTS
avatarLoved this app

I can't tell you how useful I find these portable reference tools, I originally had to sit in front of heavy books or cumbersome flash cards and plough through names etc. I can now dip in and out anywhere I am left waiting for a few minutes, or use the tests which really helped.

Fresh on the table is a skeletal app that goes into extreme detail, including relevant latin name and additional information. If they bring out a suite of apps they could give Netter a real run for their money.

Keep 'em coming.

BobbyC

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