Part 1: pre-clinical anatomy mnemonics
.Part 2 - clinical clerkship mnemonics
Part 3: select intern year mnemonics
Part 4: high-yield dermatology mnemonics
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Thanks for viewing!
BIG thanks to Drs. SR, AS, SS, DS, IW, MM, SG, KR, Stanford University, Cambridge Health Alliance, and UC-Davis for the kind support! :)
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BTdubs, interested in Japanese medical mnemonics?
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brought to you by:
aortic arch, proximal to distal — ABCs — Aorta, Brachiocephalic trunk, left common Carotid artery, left subclavian artery
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descending aorta, proximal to distal branches — canned soup, really good in cans — celiac, superior mesenteric, renal, gonadal, inferior mesenteric, common iliac arteries
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thoracic duct, location in thorax — a duck between two gooses — thoracic duct is found between azygous vein and esophagus
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diaphragmatic piercings, vertebral levels — I ate ten vegan eggs at’a noon — IVC at T8, vagus nerve and esophagus at T10, aorta, thoracic duct and azygous vein T12
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retroperitoneum, structures — SAD PUCKER — Suprarenal (adrenal) glands, Aorta/IVC, Duodenum (2nd and 3rd segments), Pancreas (except the tail), Ureters, Colon (the ascending and descending parts), Kidneys, Esophagus and Rectum
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ureter and gonadal artery, relative orientation — water under the bridge — urine i.e., water carrying ureters lie posterior to the anterior gonadal artery, vas deferens, or uterine artery “bridge”
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femoral triangle contents, lateral to medial — NAVEL — Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, Lymphatic
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pulmonary arteries to bronchus, relative orientation — aRALS — pulmonary arteries, the Right is Anterior the Left is Superior
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external carotid artery, branches — some aardvarks like fruit, others prefer single malt — superior thyroid, ascending pharyngeal, lingual, facial, occipital, posterior auricular, superficial temporal, and maxillary arteries
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facial nerve, branches — to Zanzibar by motor car, please! — temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, cervical and posterior auricular branches.
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brachial plexus, organization — real truckers drink cold beer — brachial plexus organized via roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and branches.
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brachial plexus, spinal nerve contributions — 3 musketeers assassinated 5 rats, 5 mice, and 2 unicorns — musculocutaneous (C5, C6, C7), axillary (C5, C6), radial (C5, C6, C7, C8, T1), median (C5, C6, C7, C8, T1), and ulnar (C8, T1) nerves.
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radial nerve, muscular innervations — BEAST — brachioradialis, extensor muscles of the hand, anconius muscle, supinator, triceps.
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serratus anterior, spinal nerve innervation — five six seven raise your hands to heaven — raising one’s arms up towards the heavensinvolves the serratus anterior muscle, innervated by the long thoracic nerve (cervical spinal nerves 5, 6, and 7)
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rotator cuff, muscles — SItS — Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, teres minor, Subscapularis
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bicipital groove, attachments — a lady between two majors — latissimus dorsi attaches to the humerus in between pectoralis major and teres major.
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increased anion gap acidosis, differential — MUDPILErS — Methanol, Uremia, Diabetic ketoacidosis, Paraldehyde, Isoniazid, Lactic acidosis, Ethylene glycol, rhabdomyolysis, Salicylates
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normal anion gap acidosis, differential — SHARDS — Spironolactone, Hyperalimentation, Acetazolamide/Addison’s disease, Renal tubular acidosis, Diarrhea, Saline infusion
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hydrocephalus, symptoms — wet, wobbly, and wacky! — urinary incontinence, ataxia/instability and altered mental status
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hypercalcemia, symptoms — bones, stones, groans, thrones and psychiatric overtones — bone pain, renal stones, abdominal pains, constipation/polyuria, psychosis/delirium
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chest x-ray interpretation, systematic approach— ABCDEFGHi — Airway, Bones, Cardiac silhouette, Diaphragm, Effusions, Fields, Gastric bubble, Hilum, interpretation/impression
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microcytic anemia, differential — TAILs — Thalassemia, Anemia of chronic disease, Iron deficiency, Lead poisoning, sideroblastic anemia
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fetal heart rates, associated causes — VEAL CHOP — Variable deceleration => Cord compression, Early deceleration => Head compression, Acceleration => Okay!, Late deceleration => Placental insufficiency
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abnormal uterine bleeding, causes — PALMeCOIN — Polyp, Adenomyosis, Leiomyoma; Malignancy/hyperplasia, endometrial, Coagulopathy, Ovulatory dysfunction, Iatrogenic, Not yet classified
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depression, screening questions— SIGeCAPS — Sleep decrease, Interest loss, Guilt, energy decrease, Concentration difficulties, Appetite loss, Psychomotor changes, Suicidal ideation
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manic episode, features— DIG FAST — Distractibility, Irresponsibility, Grandiosity, Flight of ideas, Activity increase, Sleep deficit, Talkativeness
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fetal transmissible diseases, pathogens— ToRCHeS — Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, CMV, HIV, Herpes simplex virus 2, Syphilis
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reactive arthritis, symptoms — can’t pee, can’t see, can’t climb a tree — first urinary symptoms (urethritis), then ocular symptoms (conjunctivitis), and musculoskeletal symptoms (arthritis, back pain, etc.)
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Alport syndrome, symptoms — can’t pee, can’t see, can’t hear a buzzing bee — glomerulonephritis, retinopathy/lens dislocation, sensorineural deafness
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anti-hypertensives, used during pregnancy — Hypertensive mothers love nifedipine — Hydralazine, α-Methyldopa, Labetalol, Nifedipine
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anticholinergic syndrome, symptoms — mad as a hatter, red as a beet, blind as a bat, full as a flask, dry as a bone — hallucinations, vasodilation, mydriasis, urinary retention, dry mucous membranes
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dialysis, indications — AEIOU — Acidosis, Electrolytes, Intoxication, Overload, Uremia
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anterior mediastinal mass, differential — Four T’s — Thymoma, Teratoma, Thyroid (ectopic), Terrible lymphoma
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pellagra, symptoms — Four D’s — Diarrhea, Dementia, Dermatitis, Death
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postoperative fever, causes— 5 W’s — Wind (atelectasis), Water (UTI), Wound, Walking (lack thereof, thus leading to DVT or PE), Wonder drug (drug/transfusion reaction)
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cardiac auscultation, valves — All Physicians Take Money — Aortic, Pulmonary, Tricuspid, Mitral
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endotracheal intubation, Glasgow coma scale — under 8? intubate! — scored as follows ([eyes, 1-4 points] + [verbal, 1-5 points] + [motor,1-6 points])
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Parkinson's disease, symptoms — TRAPS — Tremor (pill-rolling, at rest), Rigidity (cogwheel), Akinesia (or bradykinesia), Postural instability, Shuffling gait
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increased anion gap acidosis, differential: — GOLDMARK — Glycols (ethylene and propylene), Oxoproline, L-lactate, D-lactate, Methanol, Aspirin, Renal failure, Ketoacidosis
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pain, a good history — OLD CARTS — Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating factors, Relieving factors, Treatments tried, Severity (on a scale 1 to 10)
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a broad Ddx, etiologic categories — INDICATE Virgo — Infectious, Neoplastic, Degenerative, Iatrogenic/Intoxication, Congenital, Autoimmune, Trauma, Endocrine/metabolic, Vascular
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inpatient admission, orders — A DC VANDALISM — Admit to [***], Diagnosis, Condition, Vitals, Activity, Nursing Instructions, Diet, Allergies, Labs, IV Fluids, Specialists/consults, Medications/monitoring
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verbal handoff, a systematic approach — I PASS — Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation awareness and contingency planning, Synthesis by receiver
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San Francisco Syncope Rule, criteria — CHESS — Congestive heart failure (CHF), Hematocrit < 30%, Abnormalities on ECG, Shortness of breath (SOB), SBP < 90 mm Hg at triage
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altered mental status, causes — MIST — Metabolic, Infectious, Structural, Toxin
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diabetic ketoacidosis, precipitating causes — 8I’s — Initial diagnosis of Type 1 DM, Infection (PNA, UTI, etc.), Insulin (too little/none), Infarction (e.g., CVA or MI), Incision (i.e., surgery), Infant (pregnancy), Iatrogenic (change in insulin by provider), Intoxication (e.g., ETOH or drugs)
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pancreatitis, causes — I GET SMASHED — Idiopathic, Gallstones, Ethanol, Trauma, Steroids, Malignancy (Pancreatic cancer), Autoimmune, Scorpion sting, Hypercalcemia/hypertriglyceridemia, ERCP, Drugs
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new onset atrial fibrillation, causes — PIRATES — Pulmonary, Ischemia/Infarction/CAD, Rheumatic heart disease/Mitral Regurgitation, Alcohol/Anemia, Thyrotoxicosis/Toxins, Electrolytes/Endocarditis, Sepsis/Sick sinus syndrome
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pseudotumor cerebri, risk factors — female TOAD — female sex, Tetracyclines, Obesity, vitamin A excess, Danazol
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multiple myeloma, clinical manifestations — CRAB — Calcium (elevated), Renal failure, Anemia, Bone disease/Back pain
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cytochrome p450, inhibitors — A Cute Gentleman Sipped Iced Grapefruit juice, And Quietly Kept Munching Soft Cinnamon Rolls — Acute EtOH, Gemfibrozil, Ciprofloxacin, Isoniazid, Grapefruit juice, Amiodarone, Quinidine, Ketoconazole, Macrolides, Sulfonamides, Cimetidine, Ritonavir
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cirrhosis, initial management — VIBES — Volume status, Infection (SBP), Bleeding (varices), Encephalopathy, Screening (hepatitis virii, etc.), Surgery (TIPS or liver transplant)
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cystinuria, implicated amino acids — COLA— Cystine, Ornithine, Lysine, Arginine
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picornavirii, examples — PERCH on a peak — Poliovirus, Echovirus, Rhinovirus, Coxsackievirus, HAV
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patent ductus arteriosus, murmur type — PDAs are continuously inspiring! (or annoying?) — The murmur from a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriousus) is described as a continuous “machine-like” murmur
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melanoma, warning signs — remember the ABCDEs — Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter, Evolving/changing/growing over time
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cytological layers of epidermis, superficial to deap — Californians love gorillas in string bikinis — corneum, lucidum, granulosum, spinosum, basalis
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lichen planus, descriptors — 6 P’s — Purple, Polygonal, Planar, Papules, Plaques, Pruritic
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generalized hyperpigmentation, differential — no skin SPARED — Pregnancy, Addison’s disease, Renal failure, Excess iron, or Drugs (e.g., amiodarone, minocycline).
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papulosquamous eruption, differential — 5L’s + 5P’s = a ten! — Lupus, Lichen planus (and other lichenoid reactions), Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), Lichen nitidus, Lues (an antiquated name for Syphilis), Psoriasis, Pityriasis rosea, Pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA)/pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC), Parapsoriasis, Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP), Seborrheic dermatitis, Adverse drug reaction, Tinea, Eczema/erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) and Neoplasm (e.g., MF)
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persistent red face, differential — Dr. McLeap — Dermatomyositis, rosacea, Mastocytosis, carcinoid, Lupus erythematosis, autoimmune connective tissue disease or polycythemia vera
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white skin patch, differential — vitiligo PATCH — vitiligo, Pityriasis alba/Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, Age-related hypopigmentation (e.g., idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis), Tinea versicolor/Tuberous sclerosis (ash-leaf macules), Congenital birthmark (e.g., Hypomelanosis of Ito) or Hansen's disease (leprosy)
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painful cutaneous nodule, differential — BENGAL DOCS — Blue rubber nevus, Eccrine spiradenoma/erythema nodosum, Neurilemmoma/neuroma, Glomus tumor/granular cell tumor, Angiolipoma/angioleiomyoma/angiosarcoma/arthopod bite, Leiomyoma, Dercum's disease/dermatofibroma, Osler's node/osteoma cutis, Calcinosis cutis/cutaneous endometriosis and Sweet's Syndrome
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small blue cell tumor, differential — LEMONS — Lymphoma, Ewing’s Sarcoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and Melanoma, Oat cell carcinoma of the lung, Neuroblastoma, Small cell endocrine tumor
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exfoliative dermatitis, differential — RED MAN — Radiation, Eczema/psoriasis, Drugs, Malignancy (MF, lymphoma), Autoimmune (rare DM), No cause found
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exfoliative dermatitis, differential — SCALP ID — Seborrheic dermatitis, Contact dermatitis, Atopic dermatitis, Lymphoma/leukemia, Psoriasis, Idiopathic (possibly most common) and Drug allergy. Note, the layers of scalp can be remembered by the acronym SCALP: Skin, Connective tiss- vue, Aponeurosis (epicranial), Loose areolar connective tissue and Periosteum
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black eschar, differential — CAGES — Clostridium, Aspergillus (deep fungal e.g., fusarium)/Anthrax, Group B strep, Ecthyma gangrenosum (i.e., pseudomonas) --- or possibly a Spider bite!
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Behcet’s syndrome, presenting symptoms— ROSE Path — Recurrent genital ulceration, Oral ulceration*, Skin lesions (e.g., erythema nodosum, subcutaneous thrombo- phlebitis, cutaneous hypersensitivity), Eye lesions (e.g., iridocyclitis, chori- oretinitis) and a positive pathergy test (*Oral ulceration is a central criterion for diagnosis)
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transient acantholytic dermatoses, features — MAPS — Men, Acantholysis, Pruritic, Sun-exposed sites
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drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, features — DRESS — Due to anticonvulsants, sulfonamides or allopurinol. Skin signs usually begin with a Rash beginning on the face with sterile folliculitis. Eosinophilia is almost always present and Systemic manifestations are common, particularly of the liver. In addition, there can also be evidence of Sensitization previously (even with contactants)
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subepidermal split w neutrophils in dermal papillae, causes — PLAID — Pemphigoid (bullous), Lupus (i.e., bullous SLE), Acquista (Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquista), IgA linear and Dermatitis herpetiformis
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spindled cells against epidermis, differential — SLAM — Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (Keratin+), Leiomyosarcoma (SMA+), Atypical fibroxanthoma* (CD68+, Vimentin+, CD99+, Procollagen-1) or Melanoma (S100+) *note; atypical fibroxanthoma is a diagnosis of exclusion
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Albright syndrome, symptoms — GAME OF — Giant melanosomes, Alopecia, Macules (e.g., café au lait spots), End crine dysfunction, Osteomas and Fibrous dysplasia
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Waardenburg Syndrome types 1-4, associated genes — pack your mittens, pack your SOX — PAX3 (type I), MITF (type II), PAX3 (type III), SOX10 (type IV)
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spongiotic dermatitis w epidermal eosinophils, differential — HAPPIED —Herpes gestationis, Arthropod/Allergic contact, Pemphigus, Pemphigoid, Incontienta pigmenti, Erythema toxicum, or a Drug reaction
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spongiotic dermatitis w dermal eosinophils, differential — DID A CAN —Dermatophytes, Id reaction, Drug reaction, Arthropod bite, Contact dermatitis, Atopia and Nummular dermatitis on the differential
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