Mnemonics

Mnemonics are a great, and fun way to remember lists of symptoms, treatments and procedures. Every medical student and doctor have ones that have helped them get through exams. We want to collect them all in one place that's helpful for everyone


The 5 branches of the facial nerve = Two Zebras Bit My Cat
Two = Temporal
Zebras = Zygomatic
Bit = Buccal
My = Mandibular
Cat = Cervical

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Di George = CATCH 22
Cardiac abnormalities
Abnormal facies
Thymic aplasia
Cleft palat
Hypo cal, thyroid
Chrom 22

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Causes of exudative and transudative pleural effusion = Data Blip Champion
Data Blip = causes of exudates, Champion = causes of transudates.

D = Dressler's Syndrome
A = Asbestos exposure
T = TB
A = Autoimmune (RA)

B = Breast cancer
L = Lung cancer
I = Infarction of lung
P = Pneumonia

C = Cirrhosis
H = Heart failure
A = Albumin low
M = Mitral stenosis
P = Peritoneal dialysis
I = Increased fluid in lung intersitium (sorry!)
O = Obstruction of superior vena cava
N = Nephrotic syndrome

(Just think of Deloitte and Konetic who marked the SJT's for the UKFPO)

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High risk for stroke in AF = Sad Chavs
S = Stroke or TIA
A = Age 75 or over
D = Diabetes

C = Cardiac failure
H = Hypertension
A = Age 65 - 74 years
V = Vascular history
S = Sex - female

(Stroke and Age of 75 core 2 points, the rest score one in the CHA2DS2-VASc score)

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The chest radiograph findings in heart failure = ABCDE
A = Alveolar oedema (AKA Bat's wing oedema)
B = kerley B lines (AKA Septal lines)
C = Cardiomegaly
D = Diversion of blood to upper lobes of lungs
E = Effusions (pleural effusions)

Cranial Nerves = Out Of Our Troubled Times Arose Fear, Very Great Violence And Hatred.
Out = Olfactory
Of = Ophthalmic
Our = Oculomotor
Troubled = Trochlear
Times = Trigeminal
Arose = Abducens
Fear = Facial
Very = Vestibulocochlear
Great = Glossopharyngeal
Violence = Vagus
And = Accessory Spinal
Hatred = Hypoglossal

Then to remember which ones are sensory (S), motor (M) or both (B) remember: Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Breasts Matter More.

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Features of chronic renal failure = The 7 P's
Puritis (urea and phosphates responsible)
Pulmonary oedema
Pericarditis
Peripheral neuropathy
Podagra / Painful big toe i.e. gout (Urate retention responsible)
Parathyroid overactivity
Pigmentation

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Non-motor features of Parkinson's Disease = Displace
D = Dementia
I = Incontinence
S = Sexual dysfunction
P = Pain
L = Low mood
A = Autonomic dysfunction (postural hypotension, sweating)
C = Constipation
E = Excessive salivation

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Investigations in acute pancreatitis = Pancreas
P = PaO2
A = Albumin / age
N = Neutrophils (WCC)
C = Calcium
R = Renal finction (Urea)
E = Enzymes (LDH & AST)
A = Amylase / lipase
S = Sugar (Glucose)

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Cerebellar signs = Dashing
D = Dysdiadochokinesia
A = Ataxia
S = Staccato Speech
H = Hypotonia
I = Intention tremor
N = Nystagmus
G = Gait disturbance

The extra-intestinal features of coeliac disease = Palisade
P = Peripherial neuropathy / Psychiatric disturbance
A = Ataxia
L = Lymphoma / Liver & billary tree disease
I = Iron deficiency anaemia
S = Short stature (in child onset)
A = Arthritis
D = Dermatitis herpetiformans. Delayed puberty (in child onset)
E = Epilepsy

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How to interpret a cardiotocograph (CTG) = Dr C Bravado
DR = Define Risk

C = Contractions (how often, strength)

B Ra = Baseline Rate (fetal heart rate)
V = Variation in fetal heart rate
A = Accelerations
D = Decelerations
O = Overall impression

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Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy = Pippa
P = Previous ectopic pregnancy
I = Interuterine contraceptive device
P = Pelvic inflammatory disease
P = Pelvic or tubal surgery
A = Assisted reproduction

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The rheumatological causes of a +ve ANA = RSVP
R = Rheumatoid arthritis
S = SLE, Sjogrens, Scleroderma
V = Vasculitidies
P = Polymyositis and dermatomyositis

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Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome = Median Trap
M = Myxoedema
E = (o)Edema
D = Diabetes
I = Idiopathic
A = Acromegaly
N = Neoplasm

T = Trauma
R = Rheumatoid arthritis
A = Amyloidosis
P = Pregnancy
by Thomas Lemon

The causes of Post Partum Haemorrhage = The 4 T's
Tone (uterine atony)
Tissue (retained placenta)
Trauma
Thrombin (lack of... and DIC)

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Myeloma = Crab Plaits
If you ever get quizzed on Myeloma remember Crab Plaits when discussing it's complications, monitoring and treatment.

C = Calcium high
R = Renal failure
A = Anaemia
B = Bone disease, Bone pain and Bence-Jones proteins

P = Paraproteins (to monitor patient)
L = LDH (to monitor patient)
A = Amyloidosis – a complication
I = Immune paresis
T = Thalidomide
S = Stem cell transplant for selected patients

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Complications of stomas = Foul Shits
F = Fluid loss
O = Odour
U = Ulceration of skin
L = Leakage

S = Stenosis
H = Hernia
I = Ischaemia
T = Terminal ileum loss - B12 deficiency
S = Sexual/Psychological problems

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Causes of cavatating lesions on the chest radiograph = Weird Holes
W = Wegener's granulomatosis
E = Embolic (septic emboli in the lungs)
I = Infection (anaerobes, pneumocystis, TB)
R = Rheumatoid
D = Developmental cysts (sequestration)

H = Histiocytosis
O = Oncological (cannonball metastases)
L = Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
E = Environmental, occupational
S = Sarcoid

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Antibiotics for TB = Ripe
R = Rifampim
I = Isoniazid
P = Pyrazinamide
E = Ethambutol

Treatment of GORD in infants = GORDs
G = Gaviscon (especially for the 'screamers')
O = Omeprazole
R = Ranitidine
D = Domperidone (especially for the 'vomiters')
S = Surgery (fundoplication)

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Causes of abdmominal distension = The 6 F's
Fat
Fluid
Flatus
Faeces
Foetus
Flipping big tumour!

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Causes of pancreatitis = I Get Smashed
Idiopathic

Gallstones
Ethanol (alcohol)
Trauma

Steroids
Mumps
Autoimmune
Scorpion bite (very rare!)
Hypothermia, hypercalcaemia, hyperlipidaemia
ERCP
Drugs (eg. azothioprine, thiazide diuretics)

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Causes of post-op fever = The 6 C's
Chest (pneumonia)
Catheter (UTI)
Calf (DVT)
Cut (surgical incision)
Cannula site
Chemotherapeutics, cannabis (and other drugs)
by Charlotte Grimminger

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Inspecting an abdomen = The 5 S's
Size
Shape
Scars
Skin lesions
Stoma

An ischaemic limb = The 6 P's
Pain
Palor
Pulseless
Perishing cold
Parasthesia
Paralysis

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Meckel's Diverticulum = Rule of 2's
Meckel's Diverticulum (out-pouching of the small intestine wall, a remnant of the vitelline duct or yolk stalk)

2% of the population is affected
2 yrs old on presentation (usually)
2 times more boys are affected
2 inches long
2 feet from the ileocaecal valve
2 types of common ectopic tissue (gastric and pancreatic)

But remember... These rules are not 2 accurate!

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Depression = SIG: E CAPS
S = Suicidal thoughts
I = Interests decreased
G = Guilt

E = Energy decreased

C = Concentration decreased
A = Appetite disturbance (increased or decreased)
P = Psychomotor changes (agitation or retardation)
S = Sleep disturbance (increased or decreased)

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Dysthymia = He's Too Sad
H = Hopelessness
E = Energy loss or fatigue
S = Self-esteem is low

Too = 2 years minimum of depressed mood most of the day, for more days than not

S = Sleep is increased or decreased
A = Appetite is increased or decreased
D = Decision-making or concentration is impaired

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Mania = Dig Fast
D = Distractibility
I = Indiscretion
G = Grandiosity

F = Flight of ideas
A = Activity increase
S = Sleep deficit
T = Talkativeness

Depression = See, Gasp, Die
See = Concentration decreased

G = Guilt
A = Appetite
S = Sleep disturbance
P = Psychomotor agitation or retardation

D = Death or suicide (thoughts or acts of)
I = Interests decreased
E = Energy decreased

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Hypomania = Tad High
T = Talkative
A = Attention deficit
D = Decreased need for sleep

H = High self-esteem/grandiosity
I = Ideas that race
G = Goal-directed activity increased
H = High-risk activity

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Mania = DeTeR the HIGH
De = Distractibility
Te = Talkativeness
R = Reckless behavior

H = Hyposomnia
I + Ideas that race
G = Grandiosity
H = Hypersexuality

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Generalized anxiety disorder = Worry Warts
Worry = Wound up

W = Worn-out
A = Absentminded
R = Restless
T = Touchy
S = Sleepless

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Posttraumatic stress disorder = Trauma
T = Traumatic event
R = Re-experience
A = Avoidance
U = Unable to function
M = Month or more of symptoms
A = Arousal increased

Viral causes of rashes = Hire Mr GP
H = Hand food and mouth
I = Infectious mononuceliois
R = Rubella
E = Erthema infectiosum

M = Measles
R = Roseola Infantum

G = Gianotti Crosti
P = Primay HIV

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Arterial ulcers = The 5 D's
Dorsum of foot
Dusky and cold
Diminished pulses
Delayed cap refill Or
Distal gangrene

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Carpal bones of the wrist = Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle!
Carpal bones of the wrist. Proximal row then distal row.

Some = Scaphoid
Lovers = Lunate
Try = Triquetrum
Positions = Pisiform Distal

That = Trapezium
They = Trapeziod
Can't = Capitate
Handle = Hamate

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Carotid Sheath = Navy
N = Nerve- vagus
A = Arteries - common carotids
V = Veins - internal jugular
Y = Y-shaped (roughly made by 2 terminal branches of CCA)

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Clubbing = The 8 C's
Cardiac- bacterial endocarditis
Congenital- cardiac or anything else
Colonic- Chron's, ulceritive colotis, celiac
Chirrhosis- liver
Carcinoma- lung, stomach
Chest- CF, empyema, bronchiectasis, TB, fibrosing alveolitis, abscess
Circulation - AV fistula in dialysis pts
Cervical rib- neurovascular compression

Viral causes of rashes = Hire Mr GP
H = Hand food and mouth
I = Infectious mononuceliois
R = Rubella
E = Erthema infectiosum

M = Measles
R = Roseola Infantum

G = Gianotti Crosti
P = Primay HIV

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Arterial ulcers = The 5 D's
Dorsum of foot
Dusky and cold
Diminished pulses
Delayed cap refill Or
Distal gangrene

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Carpal bones of the wrist = Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle!
Carpal bones of the wrist. Proximal row then distal row.

Some = Scaphoid
Lovers = Lunate
Try = Triquetrum
Positions = Pisiform Distal

That = Trapezium
They = Trapeziod
Can't = Capitate
Handle = Hamate

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Carotid Sheath = Navy
N = Nerve- vagus
A = Arteries - common carotids
V = Veins - internal jugular
Y = Y-shaped (roughly made by 2 terminal branches of CCA)

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Clubbing = The 8 C's
Cardiac- bacterial endocarditis
Congenital- cardiac or anything else
Colonic- Chron's, ulceritive colotis, celiac
Chirrhosis- liver
Carcinoma- lung, stomach
Chest- CF, empyema, bronchiectasis, TB, fibrosing alveolitis, abscess
Circulation - AV fistula in dialysis pts
Cervical rib- neurovascular compression

Beta receptors = Bigger
Beta receptors make vessels Bigger

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Inspection of Poad = PHU-PAV
Pallor
Hairs
Ulceration

Pulseless (more palpation but never mind!)
Amputations
Varicosities

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Risk factors for gallstones = The 4 F's
Female
Forty
Fat
Fertile

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Contents of the Tarsal tunnel = Tom, Dick And Very Nervous Harry
Tom = Tibialis posterior
Dick = Digitorum longus (flexor)
And = Artery (posterior tibial)
Very = Vein (posterior tibial)
Nervous = Nerve (tibial)
Harry = Hallucis longus (flexor).

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Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Oedema = Fond
Furosemide
Oxygen
Nitrates
Diamorphine

(courtesy of a lovely MAU CT1)

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Anesthetics equipment check = Mismade
M = Machine check
I = IV supplies
S = Suction
M = Monitors
A = Airways
D = Drugs
E = Equipment

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Anesthetics equipment check = Mismade
M = Machine check
I = IV supplies
S = Suction
M = Monitors
A = Airways
D = Drugs
E = Equipment

Cranial Bones = Old People From Texas Eat Spiders
Old = Occipital
People = Parietal
From = Frontal
Texas = Temporal
Eat = Ethmoid
Spiders = Sphenoid

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Types of Collagen = Be So Totally Cool, Read Books
Type 1 - Bones Skin Tendon

Type 2 - Cartilage

Type 3 - Reticulin

Type 4 - Basement Memebrane

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carpal bones of the wrist = She looks too pretty try to catch her!
Carpal bones of the wrist = She looks too pretty try to catch her!

Carpal bones of the wrist. Proximal row then distal row.

She = Scaphoid
Looks = Lunate
Too = Triquetrum
Pretty = Pisiform Distal

Try = Trapezium
To = Trapeziod
Catch = Capitate
Her = Hamate

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Heart murmers = MRS ASS
MRS ASS:

Mitral
Regurgitation
=Systolic

Aortic
Stenosis
=Systolic

And so: mitral stenosis is diastolic and aortic regurgitation is diastolic

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Causes of AF = MITRAL
M = Mitral stenosis/regurgitation
I = Ischaemic heart disease
T = Thyrotoxicosis
R = Rheumatic Fever
A = Alcoholism
L = Lone AF (idiopathic)

Courtesy of OSCEs in Medicine and Surgery (Crash Course series).

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Red Flags for Headaches = SNOWPLOWS
S - Sickness (i.e. nausea)
N - Neurological symptoms (seizures, focal symptoms, reduced GCS)
O - Onset suddenly
W - Wakes from sleep
P - Pyrexia; photophobia; pregnancy
L - Lowered immunity
O - cOugh makes it worse (not great, but I couldn't find another way to squeeze it in!)
W - Worsening or changing over time
S - Stiff neck

Came up with this the other day, hope it helps

Visual mnemonic

Triangles of the Neck (Visual mnemonic)
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There are various triangles of the neck, largely divided by the sternocleidomastoid muscle to form anterior and posterior triangles. Some triangles are more 'important' that others, and this simplified visual mnemonic hopes to emphasises this.
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Foramina of the Skull (Visual mnemonic)
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The skull has numerous holes (foramina) through which various cranial nerves, arteries, veins and other structures pass. To aid learning of these important foramina, this visual mnemonic is created
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Anatomical relations of the Middle ear (Visual mnemonic)

The Middle ear has a plethora of structures within and surrounding it. To aid learning of these important structures, I have created this visual mnemonic.

Note: The view is seen from the Right Lateral Wall (i.e. Tympanic membrane removed to see middle ear interior).
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