Trainee Talk: A Brief Introduction to Neuroanatomy, the Neuromuscular Physical Exam, Electromyography, and Nerve Conduction Study Basics

Published July 29, 2025

Submitted by: Hunter Soleymani 

Whether you are a medical student preparing for a neuromuscular (NM) medicine elective or an early resident starting on your NM training journey, it can be intimidating and stressful to figure out where to begin. There is a large amount of knowledge required to be a seasoned NM physician, but there are a few foundational knowledge domains and skills that can kickstart your learning and set you on the right path. By sharpening your neuroanatomy knowledge, physical exam skills, and learning the basics of electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS), you will be well prepared to begin your rotations. 


Neuroanatomy and Physical Exam 

Neuroanatomy knowledge is absolutely a key foundational aspect of practicing neuromuscular medicine. By building your neuroanatomy knowledge base you will be able to enhance the effectiveness of your physical exam and EMG/NCS skills which will ultimately allow you to become a better diagnostician. Once you have a solid grasp on neuroanatomy, you are ready to begin learning and refining your physical exam skills. The neuro/musculoskeletal physical exam can be extraordinarily complex, but by learning the basics you will build a strong foundation for continued learning and growth throughout your career. Below are several helpful resources to develop your foundational knowledge base. 

Other foundational exam videos

EMG/NCS Introduction/Basics 


Once you have developed a strong grasp of the basics of neuroanatomy and the physical exam you will be able to further your diagnostic skills by learning how to perform and interpret EMG/NCS. These tests certainly have a steep initial learning curve and there is no substitute for hands-on practice. By taking the time to learn the basics you will be able to accelerate your learning once you start actually performing these tests. Below are a few helpful resources to get you started. 

If you prefer not to watch the videos or want additional practice, there are PowerPoint slides on AANEM’s Training Program Partnership (TPP) trainee portal that also cover the basics of EMG/NCS studies. These slides also include brief audio clips demonstrating normal and abnormal EMG findings. 

The slides are located in the TPP under: My Courses> TPP Resident & Fellow Materials-> Self Study Curriculum > Introduction-to-EMG-and-NCS.pptx  If you follow the link to the TPP portal rather than clicking on this PowerPoint link you will be able to listen to the actual EMG clips for practice. 

If your program is not part of the TPP, it's a great time to talk to your program director or coordinator about joining. Find more information here and share with your program today.