All You Need to Know About the MBBS Subjects

MBBS is a highly reputed degree. The aspirants pursuing it must be prepared for a lot of hard work and clever studying strategies. Doctors are the future of the country, and they contribute to several areas of health care, well-being, research, and development. They are the backbone of the nation and are highly honored. Doctors study hard to prevent and treat various diseases and take care of patients during emergencies. 

Bachelors in Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery is a very popular course. It is an undergraduate medical school program. For seeking admission, you need to clear the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test. After that, you can get a seat in any state government or a private college. 

MBBS is a very critical degree for your career in medicine. Having your basics clear can help you progress in the field. It will also form the basis of further studies and specializations.

There are many subjects involved. Being prepared and having a strong strategic approach can help you go a long way. Having a clear-cut idea and info about all the MBBS subjects is also helpful. This is important when you are planning to pursue a master’s degree in medicine, surgery, radiology, research, etc. 

An overview of different MBBS subjects

The MBBS syllabus is divided into three major phases: 

• The preclinical phase 
• The paraclinical 
• The clinical phase. 

THE PRECLINICAL PHASE

For the first two semesters, the major subjects covered are:

• Anatomy 
• Biochemistry 
• Physiology 

THE PARACLINICAL PHASE

For semesters 3, 4, and 5, the subjects of focus are community medicine, forensic medicine, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, and clinical posting.

THE CLINICAL PHASE

The clinical phase begins from semester 6 and lasts till semester 9. The subjects involved are community medicine and allied subjects. The allied subjects include psychiatry, dermatology, obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics. Other subjects include anesthesiology, ENT ophthalmology, and orthopedics.

An insight into the MBBS syllabus

BIOCHEMISTRY

An important subject for building your career in MBBS is biochemistry. The subject talks about the molecular and functional organization of cells, the structure and function of different biomolecules business, and technical aspects of enzymatic activity. The biochemical basis of diseases, mechanisms involved in body fluids, and body defense concepts also come under biochemistry. It also covers the biochemical basis of environmental health hazards and the principles of different laboratory investigations. In short, it is the study of the chemical process of living organisms.

The course content is broadly classified into biomolecule enzymes, different metabolic pathways, and their interrelationships, hormones, molecular, and environmental biochemistry.

The best books for biochemistry include:

• A complete book of Biochemistry by Dr. Bhatia Publications
• Harper’s Biochemistry
• Principles of Biochemistry by Lehinger
• Biochemistry by Donald Voet and Judith G. Voet

Biochemistry Subject Videos

ANATOMY

Anatomy can be described as the science which is responsible for studying different structures of the body. 

The course outcomes include:

• By studying the subject, a student can comprehend the normal disposition, interrelationships, and application of anatomy on various structures. 
• They also can understand the basic structure and connections between parts of the central nervous system and understand its anatomy. 
• Students will also learn the basic principles of embryology, including genetic programming of the different organs from the time of conception to delivery.
• The anomalies and variations in the human body are also covered.

The course content can be broadly divided into:

• Osteology
• Muscular System 
• Arthrology
• Cardiovascular system 
• Respiratory system 
• Digestive system
• Urinary system 
• Endocrine system 
• Nervous system and its components
• Special sensory organs 
• Lymphatic system 
• Surface anatomy 
• Cross-sectional anatomy 
• Micro anatomy

Best Books for Anatomy MBBS

• A complete book of Anatomy by Dr. Bhatia Publications
• Thieme Atlas of Anatomy by Gilroy
• Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank H. Nectar
• A Photographic Atlas by Rohen

Read – 13 Tips to Study Anatomy effectively

Dr. Ashwani Kumar (ANATOMY GURU)

Dr. Ashwani Kumar, after Post Graduation, has worked as a resident at VMMC, New Delhi before joining DBMCI as a full-time faculty. He opens and explains the concepts layer by layer thus enabling students to unfold the complexities most simply.

PHYSIOLOGY

The basis of most of the subjects in MBBS is physiology. It talks about the normal functioning of different organ systems, how each organ system should function, and the physiological aspects of growth development. It also talks about the physiological responses in different conditions, the pathogenesis, and the treatment of different diseases.

• The physiology course is divided broadly into general physiology, which talks about the homeostasis characteristics of control systems.

• Other subjects include physical properties of cell membranes, principles of electricity, the concept of the action potential, functional anatomy, excitation-contraction, and work physiology.

• Blood talks about different components of blood and disorders associated with blood. It also talks about hemostasis, blood groups, and transfusion medicine.

• The respiratory system talks about the different parts of the respiratory system, lung volumes, mechanism of respiration, disorders associated with the respiratory system, neural regulation, artificial respiration, and therapeutic use.

• The vascular system talks about different parts of the cardiovascular system, properties of cardiac muscles, ECG regulation of heart rate, cardiac output, neural control of circulation, etc.

• Gastrointestinal talks about physiology, the general organization of GI tract, mastication, gastric secretion, peptic ulcers, and pathophysiology of different disease

• Other parts of physiology include- nutrition, environmental physiology, reproduction, kidney disease, neurophysiology, sensory system, motor system, visceral and motivational system, special senses, and the function of sleep and higher nervous system.

Best Books for Physiology MBBS

The best books that can help you understand medical physiology better are: 

• Understanding medical physiology by RL Bijlani
• Textbook of medical physiology by AC Guyton 
• Review of medical physiology by W.F Ganong. 

COMMUNITY MEDICINE

Community medicine prepares the students to work effectively as community physicians in the community. It covers different health measures, different pattern information, nutritional problems, national health programs, goals, and community medicine. 

It also covers:

• Behavioral health education 
• Epidemiology 
• Maternal and child health student
• National Health programs 
• Health administration 
• Economics 
• Geriatrics 
• Counseling

Best Books for Community Medicine MBBS

The recommended textbooks for studying community medicine are:

• Textbook of Preventive Medicine by Park
• Epidemiology by Bradford Hill

FORENSIC MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY

An important and interesting subject in MBBS is forensic medicine and toxicology. 

In this, a student learns about the medical-legal responsibility that is essential to know while practicing medicines. They also learn to observe and infer by using logical deduction methods. This is to analyze any medical issue in case of accident and injury.

The course covers:

• A different definition of forensic medicine
• State medicine 
• Legal medicine 
• Medical jurisprudence 
• Criminal procedure 
• Code for criminal cases and civil cases
• Definition of death descriptions
• Estimates of mutilated bodies 
• Definition of postmortem 
• Examination definition and classification 
• Asphyxia definition 
• Clinical findings 
• Physiology 
• Postmortem finding 
• Medical-legal aspects of injuries
• Clinical features 
• Infanticide, foeticide, and stillbirth

Another part of forensic medicine is clinical forensic medicine. This covers the establishment of the identity of their persons, classification of injuries, description of regional injuries to different areas, and body definition of injuries. 

The course also talks about firearm injuries, the definition of sexual offenses, the definition of stability, virginity, MTP laws, and baby syndrome.

Medical jurisprudence covers a different medical code, medical ethics and defines ethical practices and constraints in different types of cases. 

Forensic psychiatry talks about the definitions of different types of mental disorders, classification, admission, and discharge.

The different steps of DNA fingerprinting, the techniques, and the identification of different samples.

Best Books for Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

• Dr. KSN Reddy – Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
• Dr. CK Parikh- A Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine, and Toxicology.

PHARMACOLOGY

Pharmacology is a very important subject. This involves:

• Kinetic and pharmacodynamic principles 
• Various factors that affect the action of drugs 
• Drugs administration with advantages and disadvantages 
• General pharmacology is divided into pharmacology for the autonomic nervous system and peripheral nervous system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system testing, and respiratory system. 
• Pharmacology for hormones, chemotherapy, and immunomodulators, and drug therapy is also covered.

MICROBIOLOGY

A very useful subject in MBBS is microbiology. It helps a person understand how infectious diseases are caused. 

It also covers:

• The passive analysis 
• Laboratory diagnosis treatment 
• Ways to control the spread of diseases
• Different types of microorganisms and the modes of transmission
• Mechanism of immunity in the human body
• Introduction to microbiology 
• Introduction to bacteriology 
• A common test for bacterial identification 
• Introduction to parasitology 
• Laboratory diagnosis of viral infection
• Collection and transport of samples for parasite relationship 
• Bacteria in biology and genetics
• Immunodiagnosis vaccines, sterilization, disinfection, bacterial growth in water and air
• The mechanism associated with infection and other interests in protozoal infections

Best Books for Microbiology MBBS

• Textbook of Microbiology by Dr. CP Baneja
• Essentials of Medical Microbiology
• Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple

PATHOLOGY

Pathology is an interesting subject that is taught in the MBBS curriculum. 

This includes:

• Cell injury 
• The changes produced 
• Normal homeostatic mechanism
• Hematological disorders and clinico-pathological procedures 

Pathology is divided into general pathology, systemic pathology, and practicals.

Best Books for Pathology MBBS

• A complete book of Pathology by Dr. Bhatia Publications
• Rapid Review Pathology by Edward F. Goljan
• Underwood’s Pathology: A Clinical Approach by Simon Cross

ANESTHESIA

Anesthesia teaches students about the different basic concepts used in anesthesia and how to put them into practice. 

The subjects talk about principles of:

• Acute medicine 
• Management of blood, fluid, and electrolyte balance 
• Acute and chronic pain problems 
• Drug interactions 
• Evaluation of patients 
• Various techniques of anesthesiology
• Pharmacology of muscle relaxant
• Basics and applied local anesthesia 

Best Books for Anthesia MBBS

• A complete book of Anesthesia by Dr. Bhatia Publications
• Review of Clinical Anesthesia by Neil Connelly MD, David G, Silverman MD
• Handbook of Stoelting’s Anesthesia and Co-existing Disease

DERMATOLOGY AND VENEREOLOGY

A wonderful subject that talks about the difference between skin conditions and how to identify and diagnose skin disease. The subject talks about the skin conditions in the community as well as clinical cases in hospitals. 

The subject is broadly divided into:

• Infestation 
• Melanin synthesis 
• Allergic disorders d
• Eruptions 
• Pathogenesis 
• Diagnosis 
• HIV infection 
• Hereditary disorders 
• Dermatological emergencies and ineffective dermatosis

Best Books for Dermatology

The textbooks recommended for this subject are the treatment of skin diseases, the Textbook of Dermatology and Venereology by Nina Khanna, and Atlas of Dermatology by L.K Bhutani. 

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

The subject teaches MBBS students to understand different disciplines in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The students learn to make diagnoses, provide care for specific problems, manage emergencies, and provide counseling and regulation methods. 

It talks about vital statistics and develops communication skills to talk to the patient.

The course content is divided into basic sciences, which include normal and abnormal development, physiology and development, the function of the placenta, anatomy of fetus, lactation, normal pregnancy, and physiological changes in pregnancy role of hormones.

Obstetrics talks about the physiology of normal pregnancy drug prescription hypertensive disorders anemia in pregnancy, antenatal care, multiple pregnancies, and perinatal and maternal mortality.

Gynecology talks about the anatomy of the fetal genital tract, ectopic pregnancy, physiology of menstruation disorders of growth, fibroid, uterus prolapse, and adolescent change.

Best Books for OBG & Gynecology

• For Obstetrics, from Dutta and for Gynecology refer Shaws.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Ophthalmology provides in-depth information about the entire visual system and its disorders. It helps you understand different eye issues and work effectively as community health leaders. 

It talks about the different disorders of the lid, corneal ulcers, congenital glaucoma, blindness, the prevalence of diabetes, retinopathy comprehensive eye care, and national program for control of blindness.

Best Books for Ophthalmology MBBS

• A complete book of Ophthalmology by Dr. Bhatia Publications
• Comprehensive Ophthalmology by AK Kurana

PEDIATRICS

Pediatrics is a fascinating subject that talks about growth and development, nutritional needs of children, immunization schedules, and common diseases in infancy and childhood. The subject is broadly classified into vital statistics, child growth, and development, nutrition immunization, infectious disease, hematology, respiratory system, CNS, gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system of the child, urinary system, neonatology, and pediatric emergencies. It also talks about behavioral problems and therapeutics.

Best Books for Pediatrics MBBS

• A complete book of Pediatrics by Dr. Bhatia Publications
• Ghai Essentials Pediatrics
• Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics
• Illustrated Book of Pediatrics

ORTHOPEDICS

Orthopedics is a very important subject that all MBBS students should be strong in. It talks about the orthopedic system, fractures classification, and management of fractures, classification of injuries, fractures of different parts of the body, congenital malformations, deformities of the spine, arthritis, tuberculosis effects on the spine, and bone tumors.

Best Books for Orthopedics MBBS

• Essentials Orthopedics: Including Clinical Methods
• Textbook of Orthopedics by John Ebnezar

PSYCHIATRY

This is a beautiful subject that talks about behavioral sciences. The major part of the subject talks about behavioral psychology, motivation, emotional learning and conditioning, cognitive process, thinking and problem-solving, and intelligence personality.

Best Books for Psychiatry MBBS

• A complete book of Psychiatry by Dr. Bhatia Publications
• Kaplan and Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry
• Essentials of Psychiatry

SURGERY

A theoretical and practical subject, it talks about surgical education for undergraduates, how to carry out surgery, indications and methods for fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy, diagnosis of common surgical issues, asepsis, infection, and clinical features.

How to study MBBS subjects

MBBS is an important stepping stone for your career as a doctor. It is significant that you know the course outline and outcomes. You must have all the study materials and make notes from the syllabus. Always have the best and recommended books with you and make notes or try to highlight the important parts. It’s also critical to read every day, understand the topics with help from your teachers, as well as refer to videos online. You must also revise wisely on time. 

Pay attention to all the topics that are taught in class, make concise notes and flowcharts, textbooks, and refer to content online.

For understanding your MBBS subjects better and preparing for NEET PG, you can also refer to e-Gurukul, the brainchild of DBMCI. It has several video lectures, test series question banks, MCQs, and different topics, which give you great resources to study. Study these topics from anywhere you want and build a great career in medicine.