GUIDES / IMAGE OCCLUSION
Reviewing Anki image occlusion cards on a handheld
Image occlusion turns a labelled diagram into a set of cards: each label is hidden in turn, and you recall what sits under the mask. It is the standard way to learn anatomy, histology and anything you learn by looking.
How image occlusion works
You take a diagram, draw masks over the labels and Anki creates one card per mask (or one card that hides everything). When a card comes up, the target label is hidden and you say what it is before revealing it.
Modern Anki versions include image occlusion built in; many shared medical decks also use image-occlusion note types.
Reviewing them on Ankiboy
Ankiboy syncs your image-occlusion decks from AnkiWeb along with their images. During review:
- A reveals the answer.
- D-pad right reveals the next hidden label, when the card supports it.
- Hold L1 + B to show or hide every label on the diagram at once.
- Grade with the four coloured buttons, and the screen flashes the grade's colour.
Tips for better occlusion cards
- Hide one concept per mask, not whole regions.
- Keep the image readable at a small size; crop away empty space.
- Add a short header (e.g. 'Sagittal section of brain') so the card has context.
- Download cards and media over Wi-Fi before heading somewhere without a connection.
Ankiboy is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anki, AnkiDroid or their developers.