RANZCR Anatomy study plan
RANZCR Anatomy · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 1 (Anatomy and applied imaging fundamentals)
Map every region of the body onto a personal checklist of core anatomy topics, ranking each as secure, shaky, or unknown
Label the bones, joints, and major muscle groups of the upper and lower limbs from blank outlines without reference
Name the origin, insertion, action, and nerve supply of the rotator cuff and the muscles of the gluteal region
Draw the brachial and lumbosacral plexuses from memory and annotate the terminal branches
Your checkpoint
A completed self-audit table covering all body regions with a ranked list of the ten weakest limb and plexus topics
Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 1 (Anatomy and applied imaging fundamentals)
Trace the course of the aorta and its major branches from the arch to the iliac bifurcation
Describe the arterial supply and venous drainage of the gut, including the portal system and its anastomoses
Identify the branches of the abdominal aorta and their vertebral levels on a schematic
Explain the collateral pathways that open when the inferior vena cava or portal vein is obstructed
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn vascular map of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis with all named vessels labelled and cross-checked against an atlas
Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 1 (Anatomy and applied imaging fundamentals)
Summarise the cranial nerves by nucleus, course, and function in a single reference sheet
Locate the lobes, sulci, and ventricles of the brain on axial and coronal sections
Outline the territories of the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries and the vertebrobasilar system
Describe the dural venous sinuses and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid from production to absorption
Your checkpoint
A one-page neuroanatomy summary sheet tested by self-quizzing until all cranial nerves and arterial territories are recalled cold
Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 1 (Anatomy and applied imaging fundamentals) & Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 2 (Applied clinical radiology)
Explain how plain film, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine generate contrast, and state one strength and one limitation of each
Predict how windowing, slice thickness, and reconstruction kernel change the appearance of a CT image
Identify common MRI sequences and the tissue contrast each produces
Apply basic radiation dose and protection principles to a hypothetical request
Your checkpoint
A comparison table of the six modalities covering physical principle, contrast mechanism, strengths, limitations, and typical dose, plus a 20-question self-test scored at 80% or better
Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 1 (Anatomy and applied imaging fundamentals)
Describe the mediastinal compartments and the structures within each
Outline the bronchopulmonary segments and the lymphatic drainage of the lung
Trace the peritoneal reflections and identify the retroperitoneal organs
Explain the anatomy of the diaphragm, including its openings and the levels of each
Your checkpoint
An annotated cross-sectional atlas of the thorax and abdomen at five key levels, each structure named and checked against a reference
Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 2 (Applied clinical radiology)
Correlate normal anatomy with the appearances of common pathologies on CT and MRI
Construct a systematic search pattern for chest, abdominal, and brain studies
Interpret ten anonymised teaching cases and state the anatomical basis of each finding
Explain how patient positioning and contrast timing alter the visibility of key structures
Your checkpoint
A written report on ten practice cases, each with a structured search pattern, a finding, and the underlying anatomy
Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 2 (Applied clinical radiology)
Apply anatomical knowledge to procedural planning, including safe access routes and structures at risk
Explain the anatomical rationale for common interventional and surgical approaches
Predict the anatomical consequences of common operations and their expected postoperative appearances
Interpret anatomy on ultrasound and fluoroscopy in real time using recorded teaching clips
Your checkpoint
A procedural anatomy guide covering five common interventions, each with approach, structures at risk, and expected imaging appearance
Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 1 (Anatomy and applied imaging fundamentals) & Clinical Radiology Examination Phase 2 (Applied clinical radiology)
Consolidate all weak topics identified in the week 1 audit and retest them
Complete two timed mock examinations under exam conditions and review every error
Rehearse rapid recall of high-yield lists such as cranial nerves, aortic branches, and plexuses
Write a personal summary of recurring error patterns and the anatomy behind each
Your checkpoint
Two completed mock papers with a scored error log, and a final revision sheet of the twenty highest-risk topics
Milestones
Week 2: Recall the aortic branches and their levels, and the limb plexuses, without reference, scoring at least 80% on a self-made quiz
Week 4: Explain each imaging modality's contrast mechanism and limitations in under two minutes per modality, and pass the 20-question self-test
Week 6: Produce a structured report on five of the ten teaching cases with correct anatomical localisation on first attempt
Week 8: Score at least 70% on both timed mock papers and show that every week 1 weak topic has been retested and closed