The 15 Topics That Carry 80% Marks
- Brachial plexus
- Carpal tunnel and nerve injuries
- Hip joint and femoral triangle
- Knee joint and menisci
- Inguinal canal
- Peritoneum and abdominal organs
- Heart blood supply
- Lung lobes and bronchopulmonary segments
- Cranial nerves
- Circle of Willis
- Basal ganglia
- Spinal cord tracts
- Cerebellum
- Brachial artery and its branches
- Femoral artery and branches
Upper Limb
Focus: brachial plexus (all branches), carpal tunnel, rotator cuff muscles, dermatomes and myotomes.
Lower Limb
Focus: femoral triangle, adductor canal, knee joint, ankle joint, foot arches.
Abdomen and Pelvis
Focus: peritoneal relations, blood supply of GI tract, inguinal canal, portal system.
Neuroanatomy
Focus: cranial nerves, blood supply of brain, basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, spinal tracts.
References & further reading
Every clinical claim in this article is anchored to a primary source. Click through to verify, and use the same habit in your revision.
Revision history
- 19 September 2026 — Initial publication
Frequently asked questions
Which anatomy textbook is best for UPSC CMS?
BD Chaurasias Human Anatomy is the standard for exams. For neuroanatomy, Snells Clinical Neuroanatomy. For embryology, Langman. Focus on diagrams and clinical correlations.
Are image-based anatomy questions common in UPSC CMS?
Yes — histology slides, radiographs, and bone diagrams appear regularly. Spend time on histology practical identification and basic radiology interpretation.
How many anatomy questions in UPSC CMS?
Approximately 8-12 questions from anatomy in Paper I. Topics shift between gross anatomy, neuroanatomy, embryology, and histology year to year.
Related reading
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