NBDE Part I study plan

Label from memory the 12 cranial nerves, their foramina of exit, and their major branches

Trace the arterial supply and venous drainage of the head and neck on a blank outline

Recite origins, insertions, actions, and innervation for the muscles of mastication and facial expression

Describe the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint capsule, disc, and ligaments

Identify the bones of the skull, their sutures, and the fossae they form

Explain branchial arch derivatives: skeletal, muscular, and nerve components for arches 1 through 6

Describe the development of the face, palate, and tongue, and name the corresponding congenital defects

Define the structure and ionization behavior of the 20 standard amino acids at physiologic pH

Explain enzyme kinetics using Michaelis-Menten terms and distinguish competitive from noncompetitive inhibition

Summarize the anatomic organization of the spinal cord tracts and the autonomic divisions

Diagram glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation with net ATP and key regulatory enzymes

Compare gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, and the pentose phosphate pathway by substrate, tissue, and hormonal control

Explain lipid and amino acid catabolism and where they feed into the central pathways

Describe the hormonal axes of the thyroid, adrenal cortex, pancreas, and gonads with negative feedback loops

Summarize renal physiology: glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption and secretion, and acid-base compensation

Describe cardiac cycle phases, pressure-volume relationships, and how cardiac output is regulated

Explain the physiology of nerve conduction, synaptic transmission, and muscle contraction at the sarcomere level

Classify the major bacterial groups by Gram stain, morphology, oxygen requirement, and key virulence factor

Differentiate the major oral and dental plaque organisms by habitat, Gram reaction, and caries or periodontal role

Summarize the structure and replication cycles of the major viral families, including herpesviruses and hepatitis viruses

Explain innate and adaptive immunity, immunoglobulin classes, and complement pathways

Describe the mechanism of action and spectrum for the major antibiotic classes and the basis of resistance

Sequence the events of acute inflammation, from vascular changes through leukocyte extravasation and resolution

Distinguish reversible from irreversible cell injury and describe the pathways of necrosis versus apoptosis

Classify caries, pulpitis, and periapical pathology by etiology, histologic findings, and clinical sequence

Differentiate benign from malignant neoplasms and name the routes and patterns of metastasis

Describe the gross and microscopic features of common oral mucosal lesions and odontogenic cysts and tumors

Draw and describe each anterior and posterior tooth from all five aspects, including pulp chamber and root canal anatomy

State the eruption and exfoliation sequence for both dentitions with approximate ages

Classify Angle's occlusion and identify the features of ideal occlusion in the permanent dentition

Describe mandibular movements of opening, protrusion, and lateral excursion with their condylar and dental relationships

Explain the functional components of an articulator and how facebow transfer relates the maxillary cast to the hinge axis

Complete two full-length timed practice exams under NBDE Part I conditions

Rank all four domains by accuracy and convert each weak area into a review list

Re-drill every missed item from weeks 1 through 7 until each is answered correctly twice

Rehearse the top 50 high-yield facts across each domain using spaced retrieval