Top 10 Physiology Resources to ace your MBBS exams 

Physiology is one of the most fascinating subjects in first-year MBBS, but it can feel overwhelming with its complex concepts and processes. The right resources and a smart strategy!

Here’s a list of the top 10 resources that will help you build strong concepts, prepare for university exams, and stay ahead of the game.

Top 10 Physiology Resources to ace your MBBS exams 

1. Standard Books for Physiology

Books are the backbone of your preparation. The right choice depends on your goals: conceptual clarity, exam preparation, or both.

• Guyton and Hall: The gold standard for concepts, especially for topics like the cardiovascular system, renal physiology, and neurophysiology. However, it’s detailed and harder to retain without note-making.
• Costanzo Physiology: A favorite among USMLE students. Written in a concise, point-wise manner, it’s much easier to read and retain than Guyton.
• Indu Khurana: Highly detailed and consistent across all organ systems—great for thorough learning and exams.
• A.K. Jain: Perfect for Indian university exams. It simplifies concepts with flowcharts, tables, and diagrams while keeping it exam-oriented.
• Sembulingam: A very basic book that’s clear and concise, ideal for quick revisions before exams.

Pro Tip: Use one primary book and supplement it with other references as needed. For example, focus on Guyton/Costanzo for concepts and A.K. Jain for MBBS exams.

2. Dr. Najeeb Lectures

Why it’s great: Dr. Najeeb’s videos are legendary for a reason—he simplifies even the most complex physiological mechanisms with hand-drawn diagrams and step-by-step explanations.

• Best for topics like nerve conduction, cardiac cycle, and acid-base balance and Renal Physiology.
• Use these videos when you’re struggling with a concept or need extra clarity.
• The videos may be long and feel tedious at times, but once you’ve watched them and revised the accompanying notes, you’ll have a solid foundation for life. Remember, physiology is the backbone of every clinical subject. Mastering these concepts now will make your journey through the clinical years significantly easier.

Tip: Watch Dr. Najeeb before diving into textbooks; it makes reading much easier.

3. Ninja Nerd Science (YouTube)

Why it’s great: Ninja Nerd’s videos are a goldmine for visual learners. He uses high-quality diagrams and animations to explain difficult topics in a simplified, step-by-step manner.

• Topics like respiration, renal physiology, and cardiac physiology are explained beautifully.
• Embryology is one of my favorite playlists taught by Ninja Nerd.
• Short, focused videos make it ideal for quick revision.

Tip: Watch Ninja Nerd before exams to solidify your concepts visually.

4. First Aid for the USMLE Step 1

Why it’s great: While primarily aimed at USMLE aspirants, First Aid is a fantastic resource for physiology revision. It condenses key concepts into high-yield notes and integrates clinical applications.

• Great for quick conceptual reviews and retaining important points.
• All the information will be presented to you in a clear and concise manner, making it easier to understand and retain.
• Includes diagrams, mnemonics, and tables for faster learning.

When to use it: For last-minute revision or after completing a topic from your primary book. This is the perfect book to turn to when you’re overwhelmed or short on time and need to quickly understand or learn a topic.

This should not be your primary book for 1st year. Use standard books to form your concepts.

5. Edu Club

Why it’s great: Edu Club is a highly underrated, free physiology resource on YouTube. The notes provided are often single-page flow charts that simplify entire concepts, making them absolute lifesavers during university exam preparation.

• He explains all the important concepts from Guyton and presents them in simple, easy-to-read notes, making complex topics much more approachable.
• Great for last-minute revision when you want to cram quickly and efficiently.
• His Neurophysiology playlist is a must-watch—it simplifies even the most challenging topics and makes them incredibly easy to understand. It was a personal favorite during our prep and can be a game-changer for you too!

Tip: Use them in combination with your textbooks to avoid gaps in understanding. Grasp the concepts from his videos first, and then refer to the textbooks—this will significantly reduce your reading time while improving understanding.

6. Osmosis Videos (YouTube and App)

Why it’s great: Osmosis videos provide short, cute, pookie animated explanations of physiological processes. They link basic concepts to clinical conditions, helping you see the bigger picture.

• Ideal for topics like endocrinology, respiratory mechanisms, and renal physiology.
• Perfect for quick visual reviews and revisions.

Tip: Use Osmosis for spaced revision—watch short videos when you’re on a break or commuting.

This is just an option for you to explore. You don’t need to watch videos from all the resources simultaneously. The goal is to try out these options and choose the one that best suits your learning style. Focus on what works for you and stick with it!

Note: You need to search the words “Osmosis Step 1 videos” In Telegram and you will find the older version of the videos for free in various channels.

7. Marrow and PrepLadder Videos

Why they’re great: If you’re planning ahead for PG preparation, platforms like Marrow and PrepLadder have well-structured videos covering physiology in detail.

However, I wouldn’t recommend starting your NEET PG preparation from the first year itself. PG prep requires a focused and detailed approach, where you emphasize important topics while skipping others. In your preclinical years, the priority should be building a strong foundation in subjects like physiology, anatomy, and biochemistry—this foundation will be crucial for your clinical years ahead.

If you truly want to secure a good PG rank, you need to build a strong foundation in the preclinical subjects first. Focus on understanding the basics thoroughly in your first year. You can safely skip Marrow and other PG-focused online resources until your 2nd or 3rd year when targeted preparation becomes more relevant.

• Taught by experienced faculty, these videos are precise and integrate concepts with clinical applications.
• They come with concise notes that are easy to revise.

When to use it: If you prefer video learning over reading books, these videos are small and  concise for PG revision. 

For the first year, it’s far more effective to watch conceptual, in-depth videos on each topic and then follow it up with reading a standard textbook, rather than relying on PG-based videos. This approach helps you build a solid understanding of the subject, which is crucial at this stage.

8. Practice Case Files- 

Why it’s great: Case Files bridge the gap between theory and clinical application, helping you apply your physiology concepts to real-world scenarios. They enhance problem-solving skills and prepare you for case-based discussions in exams and future clinical years.

• Lange’s Case Files: High-yield cases that test your understanding and strengthen your clinical reasoning.

https://medicalstudyzone.com/tag/lange-case-files-series – find it here.

• Watch videos of USMLE physiology questions being solved to understand the thought process behind each solution and how to develop your diagnostic approach effectively.

Tip: Solve case files after completing a chapter to reinforce concepts and see how they apply clinically—it’s the perfect mix of theory and practice!

Note : You just need to write the words “Case files” In Telegram and you will find these books for free in various channels.

9. Kaplan (Website and USMLE study Resource)

Why it’s great: Kaplan is a trusted resource for USMLE preparation, offering comprehensive videos, notes, and question banks tailored to build strong physiology concepts. The explanations are concise yet detailed, making complex topics easy to understand.

• Kaplan Videos: In-depth, step-by-step breakdowns of core physiology concepts.
• Kaplan Notes: Simplified summaries to reinforce your understanding and streamline revision.
• Kaplan Qbank: High-yield MCQs that challenge your application of physiology concepts.

Tip: Use Kaplan videos alongside your textbook for a clear understanding and then tackle the question bank to solidify your knowledge.

This is just an option for you to explore. You don’t need to watch videos from all the resources simultaneously. The goal is to try out these options and choose the one that best suits your learning style. Focus on what works for you and stick with it!

Note : You just need to search the words “Kaplan videos” In Telegram and you will find the older version of the videos for free in various channels.

10. Mr. Waqas Khan Physiology (YouTube Channel)

Why it’s great: Mr. Waqas Khan’s YouTube channel is a lifesaver for practical physiology exams. His clear and concise teaching style simplifies even the trickiest practical topics, making them easy to grasp for beginners while staying exam-focused.

• Covers practical exams thoroughly, helping you prepare efficiently.
• Perfect for last-minute revisions before viva and spotters.

Tip: His videos were our go-to resource before practical exams.

Final Words: There’s No One Right Way

When it comes to mastering physiology, there’s no single “perfect” resource or method that works for everyone. 

Some of you might learn best with detailed textbooks like Guyton or Costanzo, while others may prefer videos or concise notes. 

Please do not feel the pressure to use some resources which are difficult for you to understand, just because someone else is using it. Choose what works best for you. Use the resources that align with your learning style and help you understand better. Remember, everyone learns differently, and your approach should match your unique capabilities.

What truly matters is not which resource you use, but how well you understand the concepts and can apply them to the case files and clinical scenarios you’ll encounter.

However, the key is to experiment, adapt, and find what works best for you.

Build a strong foundation now, focus on understanding rather than rote learning, and use the resources that suit your learning style.

Remember, consistency is the real game-changer. So, study smart, stay patient, and trust the process.