Anatomy

7 true ribs, 3 false ribs, 2 floating ribs

A memory aid for true, false and floating ribs.

Apical, Posterior, Anterior; Lateral, Medial; Superior, Medial, Anterior, Lateral, Posterior basal

A mnemonic for the ten bronchopulmonary segments of the right lung.

Coeliac at T12, superior mesenteric at L1, renals at L2, inferior mesenteric at L3, bifurcation at L4

A memory aid for the branches of the abdominal aorta and their vertebral levels.

Usually infrarenal, palpable above the umbilicus, expansile rather than pulsatile

A memory aid for the usual location of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Prostitutes Cause Sagging Swollen Red Testicles Living In Sin

A mnemonic for the order of aortic branches from the diaphragm to the bifurcation.

Midline through the linea alba, gridiron at McBurney's point, Kocher for the gallbladder, Pfannenstiel for the pelvis

A memory aid for common abdominal incisions and the structures they respect.

Nodes follow the arteries, coeliac, superior mesenteric and inferior mesenteric groups

A memory aid for the nodal groups draining the abdominal viscera.

Superior and inferior epigastric arteries meet within the rectus sheath

A memory aid for the arteries supplying the anterior abdominal wall.

Skin, Camper's and Scarpa's fascia, three muscle layers, transversalis fascia, extraperitoneal fat, peritoneum

A memory aid for the layers of the anterior abdominal wall from skin to peritoneum.

T7 to T11 intercostal, T12 subcostal, L1 iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal

A memory aid for the segmental nerve supply of the anterior abdominal wall.

Anterior Cerebral Artery

Cerebral artery supplying medial brain; arises from internal carotid artery

Sternocleidomastoid, scalenes and pectorals for inspiration; abdominal wall for expiration

A memory aid for the muscles recruited in laboured breathing.

Shoulder droops, can't shrug or turn the head away from the injured side

Mnemonic for the clinical signs of an accessory nerve palsy.

Converge, constrict, contract the lens, three C's when you look up close

Mnemonic for the three components of the accommodation reflex.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Primary ligament preventing anterior tibial translation at knee

Femoral artery, femoral vein, saphenous nerve and the nerve to vastus medialis

A memory aid for the contents of the adductor (Hunter's) canal.

Superior from the inferior phrenic, middle from the aorta, inferior from the renal artery

A memory aid for the three arteries supplying each adrenal gland.

Glomerulosa makes aldosterone, fasciculata makes cortisol, reticularis makes androgens

A mnemonic for the three zones of the adrenal cortex and their products.

I Can Predict Molars

Mnemonic for the number of each tooth type in one quadrant of the adult mouth.

A flat line on X-ray tells the tale, fluid pooling in a blocked sinus trail

Mnemonic for the imaging sign of fluid within an infected sinus.

Aortic, Pulmonary, Tricuspid, Mitral

A mnemonic for the four cardiac auscultation areas in order.

Type I pneumocytes cover the surface, type II make surfactant, macrophages clean up

A mnemonic for the cell types lining the alveolus.

Union of the bile duct and main pancreatic duct opening into the second part of the duodenum

A memory aid for the hepatopancreatic ampulla and the sphincter of Oddi.

Internal sphincter is smooth muscle and involuntary; external is skeletal muscle and voluntary

A memory aid for the internal and external anal sphincters.

Extensor Pollicis Longus, Extensor Pollicis Brevis, Abductor Pollicis Longus

A memory aid for the tendons that border the anatomical snuffbox.

The angle of the jaw belongs to C2, C3, not the trigeminal at all

Mnemonic for the key exception to trigeminal facial sensation.

The facial artery's last stop, at the eye's inner corner, full stop

Mnemonic for the terminal point of the facial artery.

Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion at the ankle; inversion and eversion at the subtalar joint

A memory aid for the movements of the ankle and subtalar joints.

A loop of C1 to C3 supplies the strap muscles below the hyoid

Mnemonic for the muscles supplied by the ansa cervicalis loop.

Inferior epigastric vessels laterally, aorta and iliac vessels beneath the umbilicus

A memory aid for the structures at risk during laparoscopic port insertion.

Liver, duodenum and colon in front of the right; stomach, pancreas, spleen and colon in front of the left

A memory aid for the structures in front of each kidney.

Biceps brachii, Brachialis, Coracobrachialis

A mnemonic for the muscles of the anterior compartment of the arm.

Anterior chest is mostly upper lobe; posterior chest is mostly lower lobe

A memory aid for which lobes are examined from the front and from the back.

Frontal lobes rest, olfactory bulbs nest, on the cribriform's crest

Mnemonic for the main contents of the anterior cranial fossa.

Superficial, intermediate and deep flexors of the forearm

A memory aid for the flexor muscles of the anterior forearm by layer.

Flexor pollicis longus, lateral half of flexor digitorum profundus and pronator quadratus

A memory aid for the muscles supplied by the anterior interosseous nerve.

Tibialis anterior, Extensor hallucis longus, Extensor digitorum longus and Fibularis tertius, supplied by the deep fibular nerve

A memory aid for the muscles and nerve of the anterior leg.

Quadriceps femoris, sartorius, iliopsoas and pectineus, supplied mainly by the femoral nerve

A memory aid for the muscles and nerve of the anterior thigh.

Some Men Cheat Downwards

Mnemonic for the four subdivisions of the anterior triangle of the neck.

The anterior wall is supplied by anterior rami; the back muscles by posterior rami

A memory aid contrasting the segmental nerve supply of the abdominal wall front and back.

Brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery

A memory aid for the three branches of the aortic arch in order.

Aorta, Azygos vein, Thoracic duct

A mnemonic for the three structures passing through the aortic hiatus.

The narrow segment just distal to the left subclavian artery, tethered by the ligamentum arteriosum

A memory aid for the site of traumatic aortic injury.

Right sinus gives the right coronary artery, left sinus gives the left, the posterior sinus is non-coronary

A memory aid for the three aortic sinuses and the coronary arteries arising from them.

Fifth intercostal space in the mid-clavicular line

A memory aid for where the apex beat is normally felt.

A single end artery running in the mesoappendix from the ileocolic artery

A memory aid for the blood supply of the appendix and why it undergoes gangrene.

Retrocaecal, pelvic, subcaecal, preileal and postileal

A mnemonic for the possible positions of the appendix.

Medial longitudinal, lateral longitudinal and transverse arches

A memory aid for the three arches of the foot.

Median over the aorta, medial over psoas major, lateral over quadratus lumborum

A memory aid for the three arcuate ligaments and what passes behind each.

The arcuate line is in the rectus sheath; the arcuate ligaments are on the diaphragm

A memory aid for distinguishing the similarly named arcuate structures of the abdomen.

Runs within the pericardium from the aortic valve to the sternal angle, with the pulmonary trunk in front

A memory aid for the course and relations of the ascending aorta.

Free fluid gravitates to the flanks while gas-filled bowel floats centrally

A memory aid for the anatomical basis of shifting dullness.

The right main bronchus is Wider, Shorter and more Vertical

A mnemonic for why inhaled foreign bodies tend to enter the right lung.

Atlas nods yes, axis says no

Mnemonic for the different movements permitted at the top two cervical joints.

Atlas has no body, axis has the peg

Mnemonic for the distinguishing features of the first two cervical vertebrae.

Septum primum and septum secundum overlap to leave the flap valve of the foramen ovale

A memory aid for how the interatrial septum forms.

Ribs 1, 2, 10, 11 and 12 are atypical

A memory aid for which ribs are atypical and why.

Wraps around the middle meningeal artery like a sling

Mnemonic for the looping relationship between the auriculotemporal nerve and the middle meningeal artery.

Deltoid weakness and regimental badge sensory loss

A memory aid for the signs of an axillary nerve lesion.

The upper outer quadrant extends into the axilla through the deep fascia

A memory aid for the extension of breast tissue into the axilla.

A normal variant formed when the azygos vein cuts through the apex of the right upper lobe

A memory aid for the anatomy of an azygos lobe.

Azygos on the right, hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos on the left

A memory aid for the arrangement of the azygos, hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins.

A valveless network connecting thoracic, pelvic and vertebral veins

A memory aid for the valveless venous plexus linking the thorax to the spine.

Brachiocephalic veins, Aortic arch, Thymus, Trachea, Lymphatics, (o)Esophagus

A mnemonic for the contents of the superior mediastinum.

Bruising behind the ear, base of skull fracture's here

Mnemonic for the clinical sign and significance of Battle's sign.

Hypotension, raised jugular venous pressure, muffled heart sounds

A mnemonic for the three signs of cardiac tamponade.

Bell's drops it all, stroke spares the wall

Mnemonic for distinguishing a lower motor neuron facial palsy from an upper motor neuron lesion.

Brachioradialis, Extensors, Supinator, Triceps

A memory aid for common radial nerve motor functions.

Flexes the elbow and is the most powerful supinator of the forearm

A memory aid for the actions of biceps brachii.

Right and left hepatic ducts join as the common hepatic duct, which the cystic duct joins to form the common bile duct

A memory aid for the sequence of the biliary ducts.

Bitter lingers at the back, a built-in poison-detecting tack

Mnemonic for the relative concentration of bitter taste receptors on the tongue.

A smooth triangular area between the two ureteric orifices and the internal urethral meatus

A memory aid for the trigone and its distinct embryological origin.

Alveolar epithelium, fused basement membranes, capillary endothelium

A memory aid for the layers gas crosses between alveolus and capillary.

7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals and 14 phalanges make 26 bones

A memory aid for the number of bones in the foot.

8 carpals, 5 metacarpals and 14 phalanges make 27 bones

A memory aid for the number of bones in the hand and wrist.

Inguinal ligament above, sartorius laterally, adductor longus medially

A mnemonic for the boundaries and contents of the femoral triangle.

Lateral, Medial and Posterior cords named by their relation to the axillary artery

A memory aid for how the three cords of the brachial plexus are named.

Internal thoracic perforators, lateral thoracic, thoracoacromial and posterior intercostal arteries

A memory aid for the arteries supplying the breast.

About 75 per cent to the axillary nodes, most of the rest to the parasternal nodes

A memory aid for where lymph from the breast drains.

Fifteen to twenty lobes, each draining by a lactiferous duct to the nipple

A memory aid for the internal structure of the breast.

Trachea, main, lobar, segmental bronchi, then bronchioles, terminal and respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts and sacs

A memory aid for the order of airway divisions from trachea to alveolus.

Pulmonary vessels carry blood for gas exchange; bronchial vessels nourish the lung tissue

A memory aid for the two separate blood supplies of the lung.

Ten segments on the right, eight to ten on the left

A memory aid for the number of bronchopulmonary segments in each lung.

The trumpeter's cheek, keeps the food where you chew, doesn't let it leak

Mnemonic for the role of buccinator in mastication.

Cervical vertebra 1

First cervical vertebra (atlas)

Cervical vertebra 2

Second cervical vertebra (axis); features prominent odontoid process

C3, C4 and C5 contribute to the phrenic nerve

A mnemonic for the spinal roots of the phrenic nerve.

Cervical vertebra 5

Fifth cervical vertebra; common level for cervical myelopathy

Long thoracic nerve arises from roots C5, C6 and C7

A mnemonic for the roots of the long thoracic nerve.

Cervical vertebra 6

Sixth cervical vertebra

Cervical vertebra 7

Seventh cervical vertebra (vertebra prominens); most prominent on physical exam

Cystic duct, common hepatic duct and the inferior border of the liver

A mnemonic for the boundaries of the hepatocystic triangle.

Camper's is the fatty Cushion, Scarpa's is the Sheet

A mnemonic for the two layers of superficial fascia of the abdominal wall.

Sympathetic from T1 to T5, parasympathetic from the vagus

A memory aid for the autonomic innervation of the heart.

Right border is right atrium; left border is aortic knuckle, pulmonary trunk, left atrial appendage and left ventricle

A memory aid for which chambers form the cardiac silhouette on a chest radiograph.

Sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, bundle of His, bundle branches, Purkinje fibres

A memory aid for the sequence of the cardiac conducting system.

Four fibrous rings that anchor the valves, attach the myocardium and insulate atria from ventricles

A memory aid for the functions of the fibrous skeleton of the heart.

Cardiac afferents enter the cord at T1 to T4 and are misattributed to those dermatomes

A memory aid for why cardiac pain is felt in the chest, arm and jaw.

Coronary sulcus between atria and ventricles, interventricular sulci between the ventricles

A memory aid for the grooves on the surface of the heart and the vessels they carry.

Maximum cardiac width divided by maximum thoracic width, normally less than 0.5

A memory aid for measuring heart size on a chest radiograph.

The carina lies at the level of the sternal angle, T4 to T5

A memory aid for the level of the tracheal bifurcation.

Carotid splits at C3 to C4, right where the hyoid bone lives

Mnemonic for the vertebral level of the carotid artery bifurcation.

The tunnel the artery takes, no nerve for company's sake

Mnemonic for the sole major content of the carotid canal.

Feel the angle of the jaw, just in front of the SCM's wall

Mnemonic for where to feel the carotid pulse.

Very Important Vessels Nearby

Mnemonic for the structures contained within the carotid sheath.

Four flexor digitorum superficialis tendons, four flexor digitorum profundus tendons, one flexor pollicis longus tendon and the median nerve

A memory aid for the ten structures passing through the carpal tunnel.

Normal carrying angle is about 5 to 15 degrees; increased is cubitus valgus and decreased is cubitus varus

A memory aid for the normal carrying angle and its abnormalities.

Inferior vena cava and the right phrenic nerve

A memory aid for the structures passing through the caval opening of the diaphragm.

Oh Oh Oh To Take A Vacation

Mnemonic for the structures within and beside the cavernous sinus.

Painful eye that won't move right, three four six caught in the fight

Mnemonic for the clinical features of cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Common Bile Duct

Duct formed by confluence of common hepatic duct and cystic duct; terminates at ampulla of Vater

Celiac trunk supplies foregut; SMA supplies midgut; IMA supplies hindgut

A simple memory aid for gut blood supply.

Submental to supraclavicular, level one to level six

Mnemonic for the six levels of cervical lymph nodes.

The apex rises 2 to 3 cm above the medial third of the clavicle

A memory aid for how far the lung apex and pleura project into the neck.

Great auricular, lesser occipital, supraclavicular, transverse cervical, GLST meet at Erb's point

Mnemonic for the four cutaneous branches of the cervical plexus.

C1 to C4 weave the neck's own web

Mnemonic for the spinal root contributions to the cervical plexus.

Superior Middle Inferior, three ganglia in a row

Mnemonic for the three ganglia of the cervical sympathetic trunk.

Seven bones, eight nerves, C1 exits above its bone, the rest just follow

Mnemonic for why there are eight cervical nerves but only seven cervical vertebrae.

Fever, jaundice and right upper quadrant pain; add hypotension and confusion for the pentad

A mnemonic for the features of ascending cholangitis.

Common Hepatic Duct

Bile duct formed by confluence of right and left hepatic ducts

Skin, fascia, muscle, three intercostal layers, endothoracic fascia, parietal pleura

A memory aid for the layers crossed when passing a needle into the pleural cavity.

Sneaks through the middle ear, but doesn't supply it, just passing through

Mnemonic for the passage of the chorda tympani through the middle ear without supplying it.

Tap the cheek, twitch you'll see, low calcium's the guarantee

Mnemonic for eliciting and interpreting Chvostek's sign.

Short root, sharp focus

Mnemonic for the parasympathetic root of the ciliary ganglion.

Anterior communicates before posterior

Mnemonic for the anterior to posterior arrangement of the circle of Willis.

A lymphatic sac at L1 to L2 receiving the intestinal and lumbar lymph trunks

A memory aid for the origin of the thoracic duct in the abdomen.

Usually strikes on the left, left is more often bereft

Mnemonic for the typical side affected in cleft lip.

Lip by six, palate by twelve

Mnemonic for the developmental timing of lip and palate closure.

The urorectal septum divides the cloaca into urogenital sinus in front and anorectal canal behind

A memory aid for the division of the cloaca and the origin of anorectal malformations.

Central nervous system

The brain and spinal cord.

Collateral flow through enlarged posterior intercostal arteries erodes the lower rib borders

A memory aid for why aortic coarctation causes notching of the ribs.

Cochlea for hearing, vestibule for the leaning

Mnemonic for the separate functions of the cochlea and vestibular apparatus.

Left gastric, splenic and common hepatic arteries

A mnemonic for the three branches of the coeliac trunk.

The main bundle lies in the costal groove above, but a collateral branch runs along the rib below

A memory aid for why a needle should still avoid the lower border of an intercostal space.

The medial collateral ligament resists valgus force; the lateral collateral ligament resists varus force

A memory aid for the collateral ligaments and the forces they resist.

Caecum, ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid colon, with hepatic and splenic flexures

A memory aid for the parts of the colon and the position of its flexures.

Griffiths' point at the splenic flexure and Sudeck's point at the rectosigmoid junction

A memory aid for the two watershed areas of the colon.

Foot drop with loss of dorsiflexion and eversion and sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot

A memory aid for the effects of a common fibular nerve lesion.

Pain out of proportion, Pain on passive stretch, Paraesthesia, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paralysis

A memory aid for the warning signs of acute compartment syndrome.

Generations 0 to 16 conduct air; generations 17 to 23 exchange gas

A memory aid for the division of the airway into conducting and respiratory zones.

Bochdalek is Back and to the Left; Morgagni is anterior and to the right

A mnemonic for the two sites of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Fibrous septa from the dermis to the pectoral fascia that tether the breast

A memory aid for the suspensory ligaments of the breast and the sign they produce.

Pectoralis minor, Coracobrachialis, short head of Biceps brachii

A mnemonic for the muscles attaching to the coracoid process.

Touch with five, blink with seven

Mnemonic for the afferent and efferent nerves of the corneal reflex.

Dominance is decided by whichever artery gives the posterior descending branch, the right in about 85 per cent

A memory aid for what determines coronary dominance and which artery supplies the conducting nodes.

The left coronary artery fills in diastole, when the myocardium is relaxed

A memory aid for when the coronary arteries actually fill.

Great, middle and small cardiac veins, posterior vein of the left ventricle and the oblique vein of the left atrium

A memory aid for the veins draining into the coronary sinus.

Corrugator draws the brows together, a furrowed frown in any weather

Mnemonic for the frowning action of corrugator supercilii.

Formed by the cartilages of ribs 7 to 10, meeting at the xiphisternum

A memory aid for the formation of the costal margin and the significance of the subcostal angle.

The head articulates with two vertebral bodies; the tubercle articulates with one transverse process

A memory aid for the two joints anchoring a rib to the vertebral column.

Eight segments, each with its own portal inflow and biliary drainage

A memory aid for the functional segmental anatomy of the liver.

A palpable gallbladder with painless jaundice is unlikely to be due to stones

A memory aid for the significance of a palpable gallbladder in jaundice.

Sniff for one, smell tells if the first is gone

Mnemonic for testing the olfactory nerve at the bedside.

See for two, visual acuity and fields come through

Mnemonic for testing the optic nerve at the bedside.

Three and four live up top, five six seven eight bunk together in the pons, nine through twelve settle low

Mnemonic for which cranial nerve nuclei sit at each brainstem level.

Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Green Vegetables AH

Classic mnemonic for the order of the twelve cranial nerves.

Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More

Mnemonic for whether each cranial nerve is sensory, motor or mixed.

Clench for five, feel the masseter come alive

Mnemonic for testing the motor function of the trigeminal nerve.

Smile, puff, frown for seven, raise your brows up toward heaven

Mnemonic for testing the facial nerve at the bedside.

Say ah for ten, watch the uvula pull, then

Mnemonic for testing the vagus nerve at the bedside.

Shrug and turn for eleven, against resistance, push like Kevin

Mnemonic for testing the accessory nerve at the bedside.

Stick out for twelve, tongue points toward the weaker shelf

Mnemonic for testing the hypoglossal nerve at the bedside.

Oh Once One Takes The Anatomy Final, Very Good Vacations Are Heavenly

A clean mnemonic for the order of the twelve cranial nerves.

L1 and L2, afferent by the ilioinguinal nerve and efferent by the genitofemoral

A memory aid for the nerve roots and pathway of the cremasteric reflex.

Rotates and slides like a knob on a dial, opens and closes the cords all the while

Mnemonic for the type of movement at the cricoarytenoid joint.

Cricoid sits at C6, where the airway becomes the trachea and the oesophagus truly begins

Mnemonic for the vertebral level of the cricoid cartilage.

Tilts and rocks like a see-saw plank, tenses the cords as it cranks

Mnemonic for the type of movement at the cricothyroid joint.

Between the shield and the ring

Mnemonic for the location of the cricothyroid membrane.

Feel the notch between shield and ring, that's the emergency door

Mnemonic for the emergency airway landmark of the cricothyroid membrane.

The ACL stops the tibia sliding forward; the PCL stops the tibia sliding backward

A memory aid for the action of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.

A halo ring on gauze or sheet, CSF mixed with blood, a telltale feat

Mnemonic for testing suspected cerebrospinal fluid leak from the nose.

Cullen's is periumbilical bruising; Grey Turner's is flank bruising

A mnemonic for the two bruising signs of retroperitoneal haemorrhage.

Median nerve lateral three and a half digits (palmar), Ulnar nerve medial one and a half digits, Radial nerve dorsolateral hand

A memory aid for the sensory territories of the hand.

Nose to the mouth's two corners, no valves, straight line to the cavernous sinus

Mnemonic for the danger triangle formed by the nose and corners of the mouth.

Descending aorta, Azygos system, Thoracic duct, (o)Esophagus, Sympathetic chain

A mnemonic for the contents of the posterior mediastinum.

Central first to bite, second molar ends the fight

Mnemonic for the approximate timing of deciduous tooth eruption.

Investing, Pretracheal, Prevertebral, three coats around the neck

Mnemonic for the three main layers of deep cervical fascia.

Anterior fibres flex and medially rotate, middle fibres abduct, posterior fibres extend and laterally rotate

A memory aid for the three parts of deltoid and their actions.

Pericardiacophrenic, musculophrenic and superior phrenic arteries above; inferior phrenic arteries below

A memory aid for the arteries supplying the diaphragm from above and below.

Septum transversum, pleuroperitoneal membranes, dorsal mesentery of the oesophagus, and body wall

A mnemonic for the four embryological contributions to the diaphragm.

Sternal, costal and lumbar parts, all converging on the central tendon

A memory aid for the three parts of the diaphragm's origin.

Two bellies, one tendon sling, anterior chews forward, posterior pulls back

Mnemonic for the two bellies of digastric and their different nerve supplies.

Anterior belly's fed by five, posterior by seven, one muscle, two masters driven

Mnemonic for the differing nerve supply of the two digastric bellies.

CATCH-22

Mnemonic for the clinical features of DiGeorge syndrome linked to pharyngeal pouch failure.

Dilator naris widens the door when you need more air to pour

Mnemonic for the action of dilator naris during breathing.

Indirect passes lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels; direct pushes through medial to them

A mnemonic for distinguishing direct from indirect inguinal hernias.

You can get above a kidney and ballotte it; you cannot with a spleen

A memory aid for telling an enlarged left kidney from an enlarged spleen.

On the dorsum of the foot, lateral to the extensor hallucis longus tendon

A memory aid for where to feel the dorsalis pedis pulse.

Superior, descending, horizontal and ascending, 2, 8, 10 and 5 centimetres

A mnemonic for the four parts of the duodenum and their lengths.

Sally Sees Cats Turn Sideways, Jumping

Mnemonic for the pathway of venous drainage through the major dural sinuses.

Old People From Texas Eat Spiders Sometimes

Mnemonic for the eight bones that form the cranial vault and base.

The elbow is a hinge joint allowing only flexion and extension

A memory aid for the movements and muscles of the elbow joint.

Little bridges connect scalp veins to sinus deep, infection's secret sneak

Mnemonic for the role of emissary veins in the scalp.

Auerbach's myenteric plexus controls motility; Meissner's submucosal plexus controls secretion

A mnemonic for the two plexuses of the enteric nervous system.

Bile salts are reabsorbed in the terminal ileum and returned to the liver by the portal vein

A memory aid for the recycling of bile salts between gut and liver.

Epidural is a lens, subdural is a banana

Mnemonic for the imaging shapes of epidural and subdural bleeds.

Elastic, so it springs back into place, epiglottis bounces, doesn't lose face

Mnemonic for the elastic cartilage composition of the epiglottis.

Portal triad in front, inferior vena cava behind, caudate lobe above, duodenum below

A memory aid for the boundaries of the foramen of Winslow.

Great auricular, lesser occipital, transverse cervical, supraclavicular, four nerves burst at the border

Mnemonic for the four cutaneous nerves emerging at Erb's point.

Erb's palsy is C5 to C6 (upper trunk); Klumpke's palsy is C8 to T1 (lower trunk)

A memory aid to distinguish upper and lower brachial plexus injuries.

Opens to equalise, pops when you fly, blocks and your ear says goodbye

Mnemonic for the role of the eustachian tube.

Some Ladies Find Occlusion Painful, So They Make Out

Mnemonic for the eight branches of the external carotid artery.

Helix wraps the whole way round, down to the lobe it's found

Mnemonic for the main visible landmarks of the auricle from outer rim to canal.

Six hillocks of His fuse to build the outer ear's rise

Mnemonic for the embryological origin of the external ear.

Posterior auricular meets the back door of the retromandibular, external jugular is born

Mnemonic for the formation of the external jugular vein.

Ties close to the superior thyroid vessels, injure it, lose your high notes

Mnemonic for the surgical risk to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.

Four recti spring from a common ring, the obliques do their own thing

Mnemonic for the shared origin of most extraocular muscles.

LR6 SO4 rest 3

Mnemonic for which cranial nerves supply the extraocular muscles.

Lateral rectus six, superior oblique four, everyone else reports to three

Mnemonic combining lateral rectus, superior oblique and the rest of the extraocular muscles by nerve.

Six steer the eye, plus one lifts the lid, seven total, that's the bid

Mnemonic for the total number of extraocular muscles including the eyelid elevator.

Skin Meets The Curtain

Mnemonic for the four layers of the eyelid from skin to conjunctiva.

Levator lifts, orbicularis shuts

Mnemonic for the antagonist muscles that open and close the eyelid.

Climbs from the jaw, past the mouth's corner, up beside the nose, a winding road that shows

Mnemonic for the winding course of the facial artery.

Feel it at the jaw's angle and beside the nose, the facial artery's winding road

Mnemonic for the two places the facial artery pulse can be felt.

V1 V2 V3 divide the face like slices of pie, forehead to chin

Mnemonic for how the trigeminal divisions split facial sensation.

Two Zebras Bit My Coccyx

Mnemonic for the five terminal branches of the facial nerve within the parotid gland.

Labyrinthine, tympanic, mastoid, three segments bend like a Z through the ear

Mnemonic for the three named segments of the facial nerve within the temporal bone.

No valves means no one way street, infection can travel any way it please

Mnemonic for the danger posed by the valveless facial vein.

The bare area is the part of the liver in direct contact with the diaphragm

A memory aid for the peritoneal covering of the liver and its gaps.

Inguinal ligament in front, pectineal ligament behind, lacunar ligament medially, femoral vein laterally

A mnemonic for the boundaries of the femoral ring.

Mainly the medial circumflex femoral artery, with the lateral circumflex femoral and the artery of the ligamentum teres

A memory aid for why an intracapsular hip fracture risks avascular necrosis.

Extends the knee, flexes the hip and supplies sensation to the anteromedial thigh and medial leg

A memory aid for the motor and sensory role of the femoral nerve.

Lateral artery, middle vein and medial femoral canal with lymphatics

A memory aid for the compartments of the femoral sheath.

Sartorius, Adductor Longus and the Inguinal Ligament

A mnemonic for the borders of the femoral triangle.

Inguinal is above and medial to the pubic tubercle; femoral is below and lateral

A mnemonic for distinguishing femoral from inguinal hernias at the bedside.

Ductus venosus, foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus

A mnemonic for the three shunts of the fetal circulation.

Ductus arteriosus becomes ligamentum arteriosum, ductus venosus becomes ligamentum venosum, umbilical vein becomes ligamentum teres

A memory aid for what each fetal vessel becomes after birth.

Near the ear, close to the parotid, a leftover groove, that's the plot to it

Mnemonic for the typical location of a first branchial cleft cyst.

Abductor hallucis, Flexor digitorum brevis and Abductor digiti minimi

A memory aid for the three muscles in the first layer of the sole.

Vein in front of the scalene tubercle, artery and lower trunk behind it

A memory aid for the order of structures crossing the first rib.

Laterally the scaphoid and trapezium, medially the pisiform and hook of hamate

A memory aid for the bony attachments of the flexor retinaculum.

Mylohyoid makes the sling, geniohyoid sits above the string

Mnemonic for the two muscles forming the floor of the mouth.

Big Diamond Front, Small Triangle Back

Mnemonic for the four fontanelles of the infant skull.

Lacerum looks big but it's mostly filled, nothing much really gets through

Mnemonic for the largely cartilage filled foramen lacerum.

The big hole carries the big stuff

Mnemonic for the major structures passing through the foramen magnum.

OVAL door for the big jaw nerve

Mnemonic for the nerve passing through the foramen ovale.

ROUND hole, round cheek nerve

Mnemonic for the nerve passing through the foramen rotundum.

Spiny needle brings the blood in

Mnemonic for the vessel passing through the foramen spinosum.

Foregut to mid-duodenum, midgut to two-thirds of the transverse colon, hindgut to the upper rectum

A memory aid for which organs arise from each embryological gut segment.

Four layers from superficial to deep, supplied by the medial and lateral plantar nerves

A memory aid for the four layers of muscles in the sole of the foot.

Ciliary sees, pterygopalatine cries, otic chews, submandibular drools

Mnemonic for the four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and their linked cranial nerves.

Two Zygomatic Nasal Every Maxilla Loves Vomer, In Public

Mnemonic for the fourteen bones of the facial skeleton.

Sweat while you eat, parotid surgery crosses gustatory and sweat nerve fibres

Mnemonic for the mechanism behind Frey's syndrome after parotid surgery.

Frontalis raises the brow in surprise, no bone beneath it, just skin that flies

Mnemonic for the unique bone-free attachment of frontalis.

Nine tastes it, ten gags it

Mnemonic for the afferent and efferent nerves of the gag reflex.

Fundus, body, infundibulum and neck

A memory aid for the four parts of the gallbladder.

A large stone erodes into the duodenum and impacts at the terminal ileum

A memory aid for the anatomy of gallstone ileus and Rigler's triad.

Parietal cells make acid and intrinsic factor, chief cells make pepsinogen, G cells make gastrin

A memory aid for the secretory cells of the gastric mucosa.

Four main zones draining ultimately to the coeliac nodes

A memory aid for the lymphatic drainage of the stomach.

Gallbladder

Pear-shaped organ storing and concentrating bile

Glenohumeral

Shoulder joint between humeral head and glenoid fossa

Extends and laterally rotates the hip, inserting into the iliotibial tract and the gluteal tuberosity

A memory aid for the actions and insertions of gluteus maximus.

Gluteus maximus extends; gluteus medius/minimus abduct and stabilise the pelvis

A simple memory aid for gluteal muscle actions.

Anterior openings track radially; posterior openings curve to the midline

A mnemonic for predicting the course of an anal fistula tract.

Great auricular covers the ear and the angle of the jaw

Mnemonic for the sensory territory of the great auricular nerve.

Runs in front of the medial malleolus up the medial leg to drain into the femoral vein

A memory aid for the course and landmarks of the great saphenous vein.

Right shares a trunk, left stands alone, straight off the arch it's grown

Mnemonic for the asymmetric origin of the subclavian arteries relevant to neck vessel anatomy.

The greater sac is the main cavity; the lesser sac lies behind the stomach

A memory aid for the two compartments of the peritoneal cavity.

A four-layered apron hanging from the greater curvature of the stomach

A memory aid for the attachments and function of the greater omentum.

The first branch off the facial, headed for the crying ganglion

Mnemonic for the destination of the greater petrosal nerve.

Structures above and below piriformis as they leave the pelvis

A memory aid for the structures passing through the greater sciatic foramen.

Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa or adventitia

A memory aid for the four layers of the gastrointestinal wall.

Ulnar nerve and ulnar artery

A memory aid for the structures passing through Guyon's canal at the wrist.

Trace a big H in the air, that's how all six muscles show their care

Mnemonic for the shape traced when testing all six extraocular muscles.

Nose to lip to eye, an H shaped tie, infections here risk the brain nearby

Mnemonic for the danger zone of facial infection spread.

Hepatic Artery

Artery supplying liver; arises from celiac trunk as common hepatic artery

True hamstrings cross both the hip and knee and are mainly supplied by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve

A memory rule for identifying true hamstring muscles.

Radial nerve wrist drop, ulnar nerve claw hand, median nerve hand of benediction or ape hand

A memory aid linking each major nerve palsy to its hand deformity.

Right ventricle anteriorly, left ventricle laterally, left atrium at the base

A memory aid for which chamber forms each surface of the heart.

Tricuspid has anterior, posterior and septal cusps; mitral has anterior and posterior

A memory aid for the names of the cusps of each heart valve.

Zone 1 is periportal and best oxygenated; zone 3 is centrilobular and most vulnerable

A memory aid for the three zones of the hepatic lobule and their vulnerability.

Sliding hernia moves the junction upwards; rolling hernia keeps it in place

A mnemonic for the two main types of hiatus hernia.

The left hilum is normally higher than the right, never lower

A memory aid for the normal position of the lung hila on a chest film.

Iliofemoral, pubofemoral and ischiofemoral ligaments

A memory aid for the three capsular ligaments of the hip joint.

Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, medial rotation and lateral rotation

A memory aid for the movements of the hip and their main muscles.

Absent ganglion cells starting at the rectum and extending proximally, with the narrow segment being the abnormal one

A memory aid for the anatomy of aganglionic megacolon.

PAM, Ptosis Anhidrosis Miosis

Mnemonic for the three signs of Horner's syndrome.

The kidney ascends from the pelvis to the lumbar region, and a fused lower pole is caught by the inferior mesenteric artery

A memory aid for the embryological ascent of the kidney and the origin of a horseshoe kidney.

Hepatic Vein

Veins draining liver to inferior vena cava; three major (right, middle, left)

The only bone that touches no other bone, floats alone, on muscle sling it's grown

Mnemonic for the unusual isolated position of the hyoid bone.

Hyoid sits at C3, feel it just below your chin

Mnemonic for the vertebral level of the hyoid bone.

Twelve has its own private door

Mnemonic for the nerve passing through the hypoglossal canal.

Tongue points toward the injured side, like it's pointing out the problem

Mnemonic for the clinical sign of a hypoglossal nerve palsy.

Opponens digiti minimi, Abductor digiti minimi, Flexor digiti minimi brevis

A mnemonic for the three hypothenar muscles of the little finger.

IVC at T8, oesophagus at T10, aorta at T12

A mnemonic for the vertebral levels of the three major diaphragmatic apertures.

Iliohypogastric, Ilioinguinal, Genitofemoral, Lateral femoral cutaneous, Obturator, Femoral

A mnemonic for the branches of the lumbar plexus.

Internal Carotid Artery

Major artery to brain; arises from common carotid bifurcation

Intrahepatic Duct

Bile ducts within the liver

A one-way valve between ileum and caecum; a competent valve creates a closed loop

A memory aid for the ileocaecal valve and its role in bowel obstruction.

Tensed by tensor fasciae latae and gluteus maximus, it stabilises the extended knee

A memory aid for the muscles that tense the iliotibial tract and its role.

Supplies gluteus maximus; injury causes difficulty rising, climbing and standing from sitting

A memory aid for the inferior gluteal nerve and its function.

Left colic, sigmoid and superior rectal arteries

A memory aid for the branches of the inferior mesenteric artery.

Formed at L5 by the common iliac veins, receiving lumbar, gonadal, renal, adrenal, phrenic and hepatic veins

A memory aid for the tributaries of the inferior vena cava.

Some Say Thyroid Often

Mnemonic for the four infrahyoid strap muscles below the hyoid bone.

Lacunar and pectineal ligaments extend from the medial end of the inguinal ligament

A memory aid for the ligaments formed by the inguinal ligament.

Posterior intercostals from the aorta; anterior intercostals from the internal thoracic and musculophrenic arteries

A memory aid for where the anterior and posterior intercostal arteries come from.

External intercostals run downwards and forwards, like hands in pockets

A memory aid for the fibre direction of the external and internal intercostal muscles.

Collateral, lateral cutaneous and anterior cutaneous branches, plus rami communicantes

A memory aid for the branches of a typical intercostal nerve.

Seven and eight ride together through the internal gate

Mnemonic for the nerves passing through the internal acoustic meatus.

Cats Prowl Caves Carefully

Mnemonic for the four main segments of the internal carotid artery.

Sigmoid sinus drops through the jugular foramen and becomes the vein

Mnemonic for the origin of the internal jugular vein.

Anterior intercostal, perforating and pericardiacophrenic branches, ending as superior epigastric and musculophrenic arteries

A memory aid for the branches and terminal division of the internal thoracic artery.

A large muscular part and a small membranous part

A memory aid for the two parts of the interventricular septum.

One segment of bowel telescopes into the next, most often ileocolic

A memory aid for the anatomy of intussusception.

A wedge-shaped space between the anal canal and the ischium, containing fat and the pudendal canal

A memory aid for the fat-filled space beside the anal canal.

Inferior Vena Cava

Largest vein carrying deoxygenated blood from lower body to right atrium

Intervertebral Disc

Fibrocartilage disc between vertebral bodies

Five in, five out, the only reflex that's all trigeminal about

Mnemonic for the nerve involved in both limbs of the jaw jerk reflex.

Jejunum is thicker walled with long vasa recta and few arcades; ileum is thinner with short vasa recta and many arcades

A memory aid for distinguishing jejunum from ileum.

Jugular Vein Attracts Girls

Mnemonic for the structures passing through the jugular foramen.

Nine, Ten, Eleven ride the jugular bus, sitting right next to the vein

Mnemonic for the three nerves riding through the jugular foramen with the internal jugular vein.

From T12 to L3, with the right kidney lying lower than the left

A memory aid for the vertebral levels of the kidneys.

Prepatellar bursitis is housemaid's knee; infrapatellar bursitis is clergyman's knee

A memory aid for the named bursae around the knee.

Flexion and extension, with rotation possible only when the knee is flexed

A memory aid for the movements of the knee and how it locks.

The medial meniscus is C-shaped and fixed; the lateral is more circular and mobile

A memory aid for the difference between the medial and lateral menisci.

Anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus

A memory aid for the three structures torn in the unhappy triad of the knee.

Lumbar vertebra 1

First lumbar vertebra

Lumbar vertebra 2

Second lumbar vertebra

Lumbar vertebra 5

Fifth and lowermost lumbar vertebra; largest lumbar body

Gland weeps above, punctum sips at the inner corner, sac drains down the duct, nose catches the run

Mnemonic for the direction tears flow through the lacrimal apparatus.

Taeniae coli, haustra and appendices epiploicae

A mnemonic for the three features distinguishing large from small bowel.

Left Anterior, Right Posterior

A mnemonic for the position of the vagal trunks on the oesophagus.

Those Cats Are Eating

Mnemonic for the four main cartilages of the larynx.

Front flap, back peaks, side folds seal the leaks

Mnemonic for the structures forming the boundaries of the laryngeal inlet.

From the epiglottis down to the cricoid's ring, food passes safely past the airway's wing

Mnemonic for the boundaries of the laryngopharynx.

Lateral pectoral nerve, Lateral root of the median nerve, Musculocutaneous nerve

A mnemonic for the branches of the lateral cord of the brachial plexus.

Fibularis longus and fibularis brevis, supplied by the superficial fibular nerve

A memory aid for the muscles and nerve of the lateral leg.

Lateral pterygoids pull it open, working as a pair

Mnemonic for the unique protrusive action of lateral pterygoid.

Extension, adduction and medial rotation of the arm, supplied by the thoracodorsal nerve

A memory aid for the actions and nerve supply of latissimus dorsi.

Lateral Collateral Ligament

Ligament on lateral (outer) side of knee

It crosses the midline behind the manubrium to reach the superior vena cava

A memory aid for why the left brachiocephalic vein is longer than the right.

Left anterior descending and circumflex arteries

A memory aid for the branches of the left coronary artery and the territory they supply.

Apicoposterior, anterior, superior and inferior lingular; superior and three or four basal segments

A memory aid for the bronchopulmonary segments of the left lung.

The left testicular vein drains at a right angle into the left renal vein

A memory aid for why varicoceles are almost always left-sided.

Thick wall, fine trabeculae carneae, two papillary muscles, no moderator band

A memory aid for how to recognise the left ventricle.

Hepatogastric and hepatoduodenal ligaments

A memory aid for the two parts of the lesser omentum.

Pudendal nerve, internal pudendal vessels, nerve to obturator internus and the tendon of obturator internus

A memory aid for the structures passing through the lesser sciatic foramen.

Lifts from the back of the orbit, a short straight climb to the lid it'll orbit

Mnemonic for the bony origin of levator palpebrae superioris.

A fibromuscular band suspending the duodenojejunal flexure from the right crus of the diaphragm

A memory aid for the suspensory ligament of the duodenum and its clinical importance.

A longitudinal plane about 1 cm behind the lateral convex border, between the anterior and posterior arterial divisions

A memory aid for the relatively avascular plane of the kidney.

Five vessels kiss at the front of the septum

Mnemonic for the arteries forming Kiesselbach's plexus at Little's area.

Portal vein gives 75 per cent of flow, hepatic artery gives 50 per cent of oxygen

A memory aid for the two sources of hepatic blood flow.

Falciform, coronary, triangular and round ligaments, plus the ligamentum venosum

A memory aid for the peritoneal ligaments of the liver.

Upper border at the fifth intercostal space, lower border at the right costal margin

A memory aid for percussing the liver and defining hepatomegaly.

Left Lower Lobe

Inferior lobe of left lung

Lateral two lumbricals, Opponens pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis

A mnemonic for median nerve-supplied intrinsic hand muscles.

Long head of biceps from the supraglenoid tubercle, long head of triceps from the infraglenoid tubercle

A memory aid for the origins of the long heads of biceps and triceps.

L4 medial leg, L5 dorsum of the foot and big toe, S1 lateral foot and little toe

A memory aid for the key sensory landmarks of the lower limb dermatomes.

Femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis pulses

A memory aid for the four palpable pulses of the lower limb.

Knee jerk L3 to L4, ankle jerk S1 to S2

A mnemonic for the nerve roots of the lower limb reflexes.

Right crus sling, angle of His, abdominal segment, mucosal rosette and the phreno-oesophageal ligament

A memory aid for the anatomical factors preventing gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Lateral rectus CN VI, superior oblique CN IV, all others CN III

A mnemonic for extraocular muscle innervation.

Tongue goes up, airway's stuck

Mnemonic for the key danger of Ludwig's angina.

Left Upper Lobe

Superior lobe of left lung; contains 4 to 5 segments

Petit's inferior triangle and Grynfeltt's superior triangle

A memory aid for the two lumbar triangles of the posterior abdominal wall.

Lateral two lumbricals by the median nerve, medial two by the ulnar nerve

A memory aid for the split nerve supply of the four lumbricals.

Embryonic, Pseudoglandular, Canalicular, Saccular, Alveolar

A mnemonic for the five stages of lung development.

Pulmonary vein anterior and inferior, pulmonary artery next, bronchus posterior

A memory aid for the arrangement of structures at the lung root.

Right lung has three lobes and two fissures; left lung has two lobes and one fissure

A memory aid for the lobes and fissures of each lung.

Pulmonary, bronchopulmonary, tracheobronchial, then paratracheal nodes

A memory aid for the sequence of lymph node groups draining the lung.

Right lung is grooved by the azygos vein and superior vena cava; the left by the aortic arch and descending aorta

A memory aid for the grooves on the mediastinal surface of each lung.

Muscle Above, Aponeurosis Anterior, Ligament below, Transversalis fascia behind, 2 Ms, 2 As, 2 Ls, 2 Ts

A mnemonic for the boundaries of the inguinal canal.

BLIA runs the lower jaw

Mnemonic for the branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

Three goes oval, the big jaw needs the big oval door

Mnemonic for where the mandibular nerve leaves the skull.

A continuous anastomotic channel along the mesenteric border of the colon

A memory aid for the collateral artery running along the colon.

Musculocutaneous, Axillary, Radial, Median, Ulnar

A mnemonic for the five terminal branches of the brachial plexus.

Infection spreads through the mastoid air cells straight to the brain's back door

Mnemonic for how mastoiditis can spread to threaten the brain.

ZIPS across the midface

Mnemonic for the branches of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve.

Two goes round, matches its round cheek

Mnemonic for where the maxillary nerve leaves the skull.

Middle Cerebral Artery

Major cerebral artery supplying lateral brain; most common site for stroke

Two-thirds of the way along a line from the umbilicus to the right anterior superior iliac spine

A memory aid for the surface marking of the base of the appendix.

Medial Collateral Ligament

Ligament on medial (inner) side of knee

Trigeminal ganglion rests in Meckel's cave, like a nerve tucked safe

Mnemonic for the structure housed within Meckel's cave.

2 per cent, 2 feet from the ileocaecal valve, 2 inches long, 2 types of ectopic tissue, under 2 years

A mnemonic for the features of a Meckel's diverticulum.

The medial plantar nerve behaves like the median nerve and the lateral plantar nerve like the ulnar nerve

A memory aid for the plantar nerves as the median and ulnar of the foot.

Medial pectoral nerve, Medial cutaneous nerve of the arm, Medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm, Ulnar nerve, Medial root of the median nerve

A mnemonic for the branches of the medial cord of the brachial plexus.

Adductor longus, brevis and magnus, gracilis, pectineus and obturator externus, supplied by the obturator nerve

A memory aid for the adductor muscles of the medial thigh.

Hand of benediction, ape hand and loss of thumb opposition

A memory aid for the signs of a median nerve lesion.

Superior mediastinum above the sternal angle; anterior, middle and posterior below it

A memory aid for how the mediastinum is divided.

Pushed away by extra volume, pulled towards by lost volume

A mnemonic for which way the mediastinum moves in thoracic disease.

Dumb Aunts Party

Mnemonic for the three meningeal layers from outermost to innermost.

Mentalis wrinkles the chin like a golf ball skin

Mnemonic for the wrinkling action of mentalis on the chin.

The forgotten suture, fuses early, by age two it's gone from view

Mnemonic for the early disappearance of the metopic suture.

Temporal and pituitary's nest, cavernous sinus at the side of the crest

Mnemonic for the main contents of the middle cranial fossa.

Roof Floor Front Back In Out, six walls about

Mnemonic for the six walls of the tympanic cavity.

Heart and pericardium, roots of the great vessels, main bronchi, phrenic nerves

A memory aid for what lies in the middle mediastinum.

Herniates at week 6, rotates 270 degrees anticlockwise, returns by week 10

A memory aid for the rotation of the midgut during development.

Along the mammary ridge, running from the axilla to the groin

A memory aid for where accessory nipples and breast tissue occur.

Brachioradialis, Extensor carpi radialis longus, Extensor carpi radialis brevis

A memory aid for the three muscles of the radial mobile wad.

The hepatorenal recess, the lowest part of the peritoneal cavity in the supine patient

A memory aid for the hepatorenal recess and why it matters in trauma.

Motor nuclei sit medial, sensory nuclei sit lateral

Mnemonic for the general rule on brainstem nuclei position.

Arrest of inspiration on palpating the right upper quadrant, from an inflamed gallbladder meeting the examining hand

A memory aid for the anatomical basis of Murphy's sign.

Some Muscles Make You Munch

Mnemonic for the number and identity of the muscles of mastication.

My Try Might Ache

Mnemonic for the three muscles of mastication that elevate the mandible.

Temporalis pulls it back, gravity does the rest of the opening act

Mnemonic for the muscle actions opposing lateral pterygoid protrusion.

The area of Fruchaud, bounded by rectus, the oblique muscles, the iliopubic tract and the pubic ramus

A memory aid for the single weak area through which all groin hernias pass.

A five way kiss at Kiesselbach's

Mnemonic for the five arteries contributing to Kiesselbach's plexus.

Plate on top, Vomer below, Cartilage in front

Mnemonic for the three structures forming the nasal septum.

Nasalis flares the nostrils wide, compressor and dilator riding side by side

Mnemonic for the flaring action of nasalis.

Behind the nose, above the palate, a passage that connects but does not halt it

Mnemonic for the boundaries of the nasopharynx.

Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, Lymphatics

A mnemonic for femoral triangle contents from lateral to medial.

Long thoracic, thoracodorsal and intercostobrachial nerves

A memory aid for the nerves that can be injured during axillary surgery.

The terminal branches of the anterior and posterior vagal trunks supplying the pylorus

A memory aid for the terminal gastric branches of the vagus.

Two vertical midclavicular lines and two horizontal planes give nine regions

A memory aid for the nine regions of the abdomen and the planes that define them.

Through the obturator canal, causing the Howship-Romberg sign

A memory aid for the obturator hernia and its characteristic sign.

Adducts the thigh and supplies sensation to the medial thigh

A memory aid for the motor and sensory role of the obturator nerve.

Cricopharyngeus, aortic arch, left main bronchus and the diaphragmatic hiatus

A memory aid for the four normal constrictions of the oesophagus.

Oesophagus, anterior and posterior vagal trunks, and the oesophageal branches of the left gastric vessels

A memory aid for the structures passing through the oesophageal hiatus.

Upper third striated, middle third mixed, lower third smooth

A memory aid for the change from striated to smooth muscle down the oesophagus.

Trachea and heart in front, vertebral column and aorta behind, arch and azygos to the sides

A memory aid for the structures related to the thoracic oesophagus.

Upper oesophagus drains systemically; the lower third drains to the left gastric vein and the portal system

A memory aid for the portosystemic anastomosis at the lower oesophagus.

Cervical, thoracic and abdominal parts, totalling about 25 cm

A memory aid for the three parts of the oesophagus and its overall length.

Omphalocele is covered by a sac and central; gastroschisis is uncovered and to the right

A mnemonic for distinguishing the two congenital anterior abdominal wall defects.

Frankly Lovely Nose

Mnemonic for the three branches of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve.

One goes through the superior orbital fissure, the eye's own door

Mnemonic for where the ophthalmic nerve leaves the skull.

Two travels with the artery too

Mnemonic for the structures passing through the optic canal.

Orbit the eye, orbicularis closes it, one ring muscle, one job, shut

Mnemonic for the ring shaped closing action of orbicularis oculi.

Orbicularis oris puckers shut, like a drawstring purse pulled tight

Mnemonic for the sphincter action of orbicularis oris.

Optic canal medial, superior orbital fissure lateral, the apex splits the traffic

Mnemonic for the structures at the apex of the orbit and how the two openings split them.

Room For Little Miracles

Mnemonic for the four walls of the bony orbit.

Eye to ear hole, the baseline for a skull CT's role

Mnemonic for the orbitomeatal line used as a baseline in skull imaging.

From the soft palate down to the hyoid's frame, tonsils and tongue base share this same domain

Mnemonic for the boundaries of the oropharynx.

Ma Married Ivan Stapel

Mnemonic reinforcing the ossicle order along the path of sound conduction.

Ma Married Ivan Stapel

Mnemonic for the order of the three ossicles from outer to inner ear.

Left phrenic nerve, superior epigastric vessels, splanchnic nerves, hemiazygos vein and lymphatics

A memory aid for the smaller structures crossing the diaphragm beyond the three main openings.

Hangs under the oval door

Mnemonic for the position of the otic ganglion.

Palmar ADduct, Dorsal ABduct

A mnemonic for palmar and dorsal interossei actions.

Hard in front is bone, soft behind stands alone

Mnemonic for the composition of the hard and soft palate.

Palatine shelves swing down then up then fuse, miss the timing, get the cleft

Mnemonic for the direction of palatal shelf fusion.

Superficial palmar arch mainly from the ulnar artery, deep palmar arch mainly from the radial artery

A memory aid for the two palmar arches and which artery forms each.

Head from the pancreaticoduodenal arcades; body and tail from the splenic artery

A memory aid for the arterial supply of the pancreas.

Head, uncinate process, neck, body and tail

A memory aid for the five parts of the pancreas.

Aorta, inferior vena cava, portal vein and left kidney behind; stomach in front

A memory aid for the structures behind and around the pancreas.

Ventral and dorsal buds fuse after the ventral bud rotates behind the duodenum

A memory aid for the two pancreatic buds and the origin of an annular pancreas.

Main duct of Wirsung to the major papilla; accessory duct of Santorini to the minor papilla

A memory aid for the two pancreatic ducts and their openings.

Grooves lateral to the ascending and descending colon; the right is deeper and continuous with the subhepatic space

A memory aid for the paracolic gutters and where fluid tracks within them.

Middle for most, superior for posterior ethmoid, sphenoid drains above all

Mnemonic for where each paranasal sinus group drains within the nasal cavity.

Frontal Ethmoid Sphenoid Maxillary, all drain to the nose

Mnemonic for the four paired paranasal sinuses.

Four pairs drain the face, frontal ethmoid sphenoid maxillary find their place

Mnemonic for the number of paired paranasal sinus groups.

Four glands, two up two down, tucked behind the thyroid's crown

Mnemonic for the typical number and arrangement of parathyroid glands.

Costal, mediastinal, diaphragmatic and cervical pleura

A memory aid for the four named regions of the parietal pleura.

Stensen's duct opens by the second upper molar

Mnemonic for the location of the parotid duct opening.

Facial nerve splits it superficial from deep, like a nerve drawn curtain

Mnemonic for how the facial nerve divides the parotid gland into lobes.

Posterior Cerebral Artery

Cerebral artery supplying posterior brain; arises from basilar artery

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Ligament preventing posterior tibial translation at knee

Above is visceral and insensitive; below is somatic and painful

A memory aid for the differences above and below the pectinate line.

Level I lateral to pectoralis minor, level II behind it, level III medial to it

A memory aid for how the axillary lymph nodes are staged surgically.

Transverse sinus behind the great arteries; oblique sinus behind the left atrium

A memory aid for the two pericardial sinuses and their surgical relevance.

Enter at Larrey's point, left of the xiphoid, aiming for the left shoulder at 30 degrees

A memory aid for the subxiphoid approach to the pericardium.

Fibrous pericardium, parietal serous layer, pericardial cavity, visceral serous layer

A memory aid for the layers of the pericardium from outside in.

Fluid moves upwards towards the diaphragm and is absorbed through diaphragmatic lymphatics

A memory aid for how fluid moves within the peritoneal cavity.

Superior, inferior and paraduodenal recesses, potential sites of internal hernia

A memory aid for the peritoneal recesses around the duodenojejunal flexure.

Parietal peritoneum is somatic and precisely localised; visceral peritoneum is autonomic and vague

A mnemonic for why parietal peritoneum localises pain and visceral peritoneum does not.

Gastrohepatic, gastrosplenic, gastrocolic and gastrophrenic ligaments

A memory aid for the peritoneal ligaments attached to the stomach.

Rectovesical pouch in the male; vesicouterine and rectouterine pouches in the female

A memory aid for the dependent peritoneal pouches of the pelvis.

Uvula runs away from the pus bay

Mnemonic for the direction of uvula deviation in a peritonsillar abscess.

Come Look, Canines First, Please, Please, Molars Meet

Mnemonic for the general order in which permanent teeth erupt.

Third makes carotid, fourth makes arch and subclavian, sixth makes pulmonary and ductus

A memory aid for the adult vessels derived from each pharyngeal arch artery.

Arch one Meckel's begun, arch two Reichert's true, arch three hyoid's key, arch four six larynx fix

Mnemonic for the skeletal derivative of each pharyngeal arch.

Arch four six, Vagus fix

Mnemonic for the nerve of the fourth and sixth pharyngeal arches.

Arch one, chew like a Trigeminal son

Mnemonic for the nerve of the first pharyngeal arch.

Arch three, swallow with Glosso key

Mnemonic for the nerve of the third pharyngeal arch.

Arch two, smile like a Facial crew

Mnemonic for the nerve of the second pharyngeal arch.

Sing Movies Play Backwards

Mnemonic for the three pharyngeal constrictor muscles from top to bottom.

Ear, tonsil, thymus below, thymus above

Mnemonic for the adult derivative of each of the four pharyngeal pouches.

My Friend Made Adjustments

Mnemonic for the four layers of the pharyngeal wall from inside out.

The tough inner coat that holds the throat's shape afloat

Mnemonic for the supportive role of the pharyngobasilar fascia.

Once Party Ends

Mnemonic for the three phases of swallowing in order.

Phrenic nerve passes in Front of the lung root; the vagus passes behind

A mnemonic for the relationship of the phrenic and vagus nerves to the lung root.

Right phrenic runs on the superior vena cava and pericardium; left phrenic crosses the aortic arch

A memory aid for the asymmetric course of the two phrenic nerves.

Piriformis, Gemellus superior, Obturator internus, Gemellus inferior, Obturator externus, Quadratus femoris

A mnemonic for the deep lateral rotators of the hip.

A pocket beside the larynx, where sharp things like to hide and pinch

Mnemonic for why the piriform fossa is a common site for foreign bodies.

Runs from the chest to the jaw, tenses the neck like a drawn up shawl

Mnemonic for the course and action of platysma.

Parietal pleura is somatically innervated and painful; visceral pleura is autonomic and insensitive

A mnemonic for why parietal pleura hurts and visceral pleura does not.

Costodiaphragmatic and costomediastinal recesses

A memory aid for the pleural recesses and their clinical importance.

Peripheral nervous system

The nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.

Divides into the anterior tibial artery and the tibioperoneal trunk

A memory aid for the terminal branches of the popliteal artery.

From superficial to deep, tibial nerve, popliteal vein, popliteal artery

A memory aid for the contents and borders of the popliteal fossa.

Duct, Artery, Vein, Epiploic foramen posteriorly

A mnemonic for the arrangement in the hepatoduodenal ligament.

Union of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins behind the neck of the pancreas

A memory aid for how the portal vein is formed and what it drains.

Oesophagus, umbilicus, rectum and retroperitoneum

A mnemonic for the sites where portal and systemic venous systems meet.

Psoas major, iliacus, quadratus lumborum and transversus abdominis

A memory aid for the muscles forming the posterior abdominal wall.

Upper subscapular, Lower subscapular, Thoracodorsal, Radial, Axillary

A mnemonic for the branches of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus.

Cerebellum and stem, the deepest of them

Mnemonic for the main contents of the posterior cranial fossa.

PCA parts the cords apart

Mnemonic for the unique action of posterior cricoarytenoid.

Finger drop with radial wrist deviation and no sensory loss

A memory aid for the effects of a posterior interosseous nerve lesion.

Popliteus, Flexor hallucis longus, Flexor digitorum longus and Tibialis posterior, supplied by the tibial nerve

A memory aid for the deep muscles of the posterior leg.

Gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris, the triceps surae, supplied by the tibial nerve

A memory aid for the superficial muscles of the posterior leg.

Biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus, supplied by the sciatic nerve

A memory aid for the three hamstring muscles and their nerve.

Just behind and below the medial malleolus

A memory aid for where to feel the posterior tibial pulse.

SCM in front, trapezius behind, clavicle's the floor you'll find

Mnemonic for the three boundaries of the posterior triangle of the neck.

Accessory surfs, plexus peeks, artery anchors

Mnemonic for the main contents of the posterior triangle of the neck.

Preauricular nodes catch drainage from the eyelid and temple first

Mnemonic for the drainage territory of the preauricular lymph nodes.

Truncus arteriosus, bulbus cordis, primitive ventricle, primitive atrium and sinus venosus

A memory aid for what each segment of the primitive heart tube becomes.

Medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries and the perforating arteries

A memory aid for the branches of the deep artery of the thigh.

Pronators are pronator teres and pronator quadratus; supinators are supinator and biceps brachii

A memory aid for the muscles that pronate and supinate the forearm.

Thin as paper, tear beneath, that's the pterion's deadly teeth

Mnemonic for why the pterion is a clinically dangerous landmark.

Frontal Parietal Temporal Sphenoid meet at an H shaped handshake

Mnemonic for the four bones meeting at the pterion.

The crying ganglion hangs from the maxillary nerve

Mnemonic for the position and function of the pterygopalatine ganglion.

A double fold of pleura hanging below the lung root

A memory aid for what the pulmonary ligament is and why it exists.

Divides into right and left pulmonary arteries below the aortic arch at about T5

A memory aid for the course of the pulmonary trunk and its division.

Four veins, two from each lung, draining to the left atrium

A memory aid for the number and arrangement of the pulmonary veins.

Upper ribs move like a pump handle, lower ribs like a bucket handle

A mnemonic for the two movements of the ribs during inspiration.

In by two, out by three

Mnemonic for the afferent and efferent nerves of the pupillary light reflex.

Portal Vein

Vein carrying blood from gastrointestinal tract to liver; formed by confluence of superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein

A leftover thumb pointing up from the thyroglossal duct's path

Mnemonic for the origin of the thyroid pyramidal lobe.

The angle between the pull of the quadriceps and the patellar tendon, normally about 13 to 18 degrees

A memory aid for the quadriceps angle and its clinical importance.

Axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery

A memory aid for the borders and contents of the quadrangular space.

Rectus femoris and the vastus lateralis, medialis and intermedius

A memory aid for the four parts of the quadriceps femoris.

Renal Artery

Artery supplying kidney; arises from abdominal aorta at L1 to L2

Black eyes with no punch thrown, anterior fossa fracture shown

Mnemonic for the clinical sign and significance of raccoon eyes.

Wrist drop from loss of the wrist and finger extensors

A memory aid for the signs of a radial nerve lesion.

Right Anterior, Left Superior

A mnemonic for pulmonary artery position at the lung hilum.

Roots, Trunks, Divisions, Cords, Branches

A mnemonic for the organisation of the brachial plexus.

Radial Nerve, Biceps Tendon, Brachial Artery, Median Nerve

A mnemonic for the contents of the cubital fossa from lateral to medial.

Superior rectal from the inferior mesenteric, middle rectal from the internal iliac, inferior rectal from the internal pudendal

A memory aid for the three arteries supplying the rectum.

No taeniae, no haustra, no appendices epiploicae and no mesentery

A memory aid for what distinguishes the rectum from the colon.

Above the arcuate line the sheath is complete; below it all aponeuroses pass in front

A memory aid for the composition of the rectus sheath above and below the arcuate line.

Above the arcuate line it is contained; below it, blood can spread freely

A memory aid for why a rectus sheath haematoma behaves differently above and below the arcuate line.

The nerve runs behind the gland, cut carelessly, lose the voice command

Mnemonic for the surgical risk to the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy.

Right hooks the pipe, left loops the arch, right's the short cut, left's the long march

Mnemonic for the asymmetric course of the left and right recurrent laryngeal nerves.

Recurrent runs the rest, every intrinsic muscle except the one that's blessed by external

Mnemonic for the muscles supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

A line from the eye to the ear, the skull's horizontal frontier

Mnemonic for the anatomical landmark used as the baseline in skull imaging.

Renal capsule, perirenal fat, renal (Gerota's) fascia, pararenal fat

A memory aid for the coverings of the kidney from inside out.

Vein, Artery, Ureter from front to back

A mnemonic for the order of structures at the renal hilum.

Papilla, minor calyx, major calyx, renal pelvis, ureter

A memory aid for the sequence of the renal collecting system.

A layer of loose areolar tissue between the breast and pectoral fascia

A memory aid for the plane behind the breast and why it matters.

Anterior pararenal, perirenal and posterior pararenal spaces

A memory aid for the three compartments of the retroperitoneum.

Danger space, no floor at all, straight down to the chest you fall

Mnemonic for why the retropharyngeal space is called the danger space.

Upper ribs suggest severe force, lower ribs threaten abdominal organs, multiple ribs risk flail chest

A memory aid for the significance of rib fractures at different levels.

Only the antimesenteric border of the bowel enters the sac

A memory aid for the hernia in which only part of the bowel circumference is trapped.

Crista terminalis, pectinate muscles, fossa ovalis and the openings of the venae cavae and coronary sinus

A memory aid for the internal landmarks of the right atrium.

The liver pushes the right dome up; the heart presses the left dome down

A memory aid for why the right hemidiaphragm lies higher than the left.

The right head and neck, right arm and right thorax, the right upper quadrant of the body

A memory aid for which parts of the body drain to the right lymphatic duct.

Gas on both sides of the bowel wall makes it visible as a thin line

A memory aid for the radiological signs of free intraperitoneal gas.

Wide to breathe, narrow to whisper, a silent gap grows slimmer

Mnemonic for how the width of the rima glottidis changes with breathing and speech.

Rinne negative, bone beats air, conductive loss is there, Weber runs to the bad ear when it's conductive

Mnemonic for interpreting Rinne and Weber hearing tests.

Rectus abdominis, Inferior epigastric vessels, Poupart's ligament

A mnemonic for the borders of Hesselbach's triangle.

The smiler's muscle, risorius rhymes with glorious grin

Mnemonic for the smiling function of risorius.

Right Lower Lobe

Inferior lobe of right lung; contains 3 segments

Right Middle Lobe

Middle lobe of right lung (unique to right side)

Runs obliquely from the duodenojejunal flexure to the right sacroiliac joint, about 15 cm long

A memory aid for the direction and extent of the mesenteric root.

Supraspinatus abducts, Infraspinatus and Teres minor laterally rotate, Subscapularis medially rotates

A memory aid for the action of each rotator cuff muscle.

Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus and Teres minor on the greater tubercle; Subscapularis on the lesser tubercle

A memory aid for where the rotator cuff muscles insert on the humerus.

Suprascapular nerve, Upper and lower Subscapular nerves, Axillary nerve

A memory aid for the nerves that supply the four rotator cuff muscles.

Pressure in the left iliac fossa produces pain in the right iliac fossa

A memory aid for the mechanism of Rovsing's sign in appendicitis.

Rotator Cuff

Four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) providing shoulder stability

Right Upper Lobe

Superior lobe of right lung; contains 3 segments

Lung borders cross ribs 6, 8 and 10; pleural borders cross ribs 8, 10 and 12

A mnemonic for the surface markings of the lung and pleural borders.

Three arteries, three nerves, three other structures

A mnemonic for the contents of the spermatic cord.

Renal Vein

Vein draining kidney to inferior vena cava

Sacral vertebra 1

First sacral vertebra; fused component of sacrum

Suprarenal, Aorta and IVC, Duodenum, Pancreas, Ureters, Colon, Kidneys, Esophagus, Rectum

A mnemonic for the retroperitoneal structures of the abdomen.

Runs straight down the middle like a part in your hair

Mnemonic for the surface position of the sagittal suture.

The largest cutaneous branch of the femoral nerve, supplying the medial leg and foot

A memory aid for the saphenous nerve as the femoral nerve's leg branch.

Sartorius, Gracilis and semiTendinosus

A mnemonic for the three muscles forming the pes anserinus.

SCALP

Mnemonic for the five layers of the scalp.

The scaphoid is supplied retrogradely from distal to proximal by the radial artery

A memory aid for why a scaphoid fracture risks avascular necrosis.

The sciatic nerve splits into the tibial nerve and the common fibular (peroneal) nerve

A memory aid for the two divisions of the sciatic nerve.

Superior Thoracic, Thoracoacromial, Lateral Thoracic, Subscapular, Anterior Circumflex Humeral, Posterior Circumflex Humeral

A mnemonic for the six branches of the axillary artery.

Along the SCM's front edge, second cleft hugs the muscle's ledge

Mnemonic for the typical location of a second branchial cleft cyst.

Three canals, three planes, anterior posterior lateral, each at right angles

Mnemonic for the three planes of the semicircular canals.

Serratus anterior protracts the scapula and is supplied by the long thoracic nerve

A memory aid for the action and nerve supply of serratus anterior.

Arises from the outer surface of the upper eight or nine ribs, supplied by the long thoracic nerve

A memory aid for the thoracic wall attachment of serratus anterior and its nerve.

Serratus posterior superior elevates the upper ribs, serratus posterior inferior depresses the lower ribs

A memory aid for the small accessory muscles acting on the ribs from behind.

Supraspinatus 0 to 15 degrees, Deltoid 15 to 90 degrees, Trapezius and Serratus anterior 90 to 180 degrees

A memory aid for which muscles abduct the arm through each range.

Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, medial rotation, lateral rotation and circumduction

A memory aid for the movements of the glenohumeral joint and their muscles.

A long, mobile loop on a narrow mesenteric base

A memory aid for why the sigmoid colon is prone to volvulus.

Loss of a normal border means the abnormality is in contact with that structure

A memory aid for localising lung pathology by which border it obscures.

A metastatic nodule at the umbilicus, spreading along the ligamentum teres or peritoneal fluid

A memory aid for the umbilical metastatic nodule and how tumour reaches it.

Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis

A mnemonic for the rotator cuff muscles.

The six synovial tunnels deep to the extensor retinaculum and their tendons

A memory aid for the contents of the six dorsal extensor compartments of the wrist.

Cats Purr Slowly

Mnemonic for the order of major skull sutures from front to back.

Superior Mesenteric Artery

Major artery arising from abdominal aorta, supplying small intestine, proximal colon

Iron in the duodenum, folate in the jejunum, B12 and bile salts in the terminal ileum

A memory aid for where each nutrient is absorbed in the small bowel.

Runs behind the lateral malleolus up the back of the calf to the popliteal vein

A memory aid for the course of the small saphenous vein.

Tall Ladies Prefer Pretty Umbrellas

Mnemonic for the five muscles of the soft palate.

Superior gluteal, Inferior gluteal, Sciatic, Posterior femoral cutaneous, Pudendal

A mnemonic for the main branches of the sacral plexus.

Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate

A mnemonic for the eight carpal bones in order.

Sensory, Sensory, Motor, Motor, Both, Motor, Both, Sensory, Both, Both, Motor, Motor

A mnemonic for sensory, motor or both functions of cranial nerves.

Pinna funnels, drum vibrates, ossicles amplify, cochlea converts

Mnemonic for the overall journey of sound from outer ear to inner ear.

External spermatic from external oblique, cremasteric from internal oblique, internal spermatic from transversalis fascia

A mnemonic for the three fascial layers of the spermatic cord and their origins.

Sits beneath the pituitary gland, a neighbour you don't want too grand

Mnemonic for the risky proximity of the sphenoid sinus to the pituitary gland.

Through the linea semilunaris, usually just below the arcuate line

A memory aid for the site of a Spigelian hernia.

Greater T5 to T9, lesser T10 to T11, least T12

A memory aid for the spinal levels of the thoracic splanchnic nerves.

1 by 3 by 5 inches, 7 ounces, between ribs 9 and 11

A mnemonic for the dimensions and position of the spleen.

Enlarges downwards and medially, towards the right iliac fossa

A memory aid for the direction in which an enlarging spleen is felt.

Gastrosplenic ligament carries the short gastric vessels; splenorenal ligament carries the splenic vessels and pancreatic tail

A memory aid for the ligaments anchoring the spleen and their contents.

Splenius extends and rotates the head like a splint holding it straight

Mnemonic for the actions of splenius capitis and cervicis.

The angle of Louis marks T4/T5, the second costal cartilage, the carina and the limits of the aortic arch

A memory aid for the many structures that lie at the level of the sternal angle.

A saddle-shaped synovial joint with an articular disc, the sole articulation of the limb with the trunk

A memory aid for the only bony joint between the upper limb and the axial skeleton.

Same Side Tilt, Opposite Side Turn

Mnemonic for the tilt and turn actions of sternocleidomastoid.

Manubrium, body and xiphoid process, with marrow aspirated from the body at the level of the second space

A memory aid for the three parts of the sternum and the site of sternal puncture.

Pancreas, spleen, left kidney and adrenal, diaphragm, transverse mesocolon and splenic artery

A memory aid for the structures forming the bed of the stomach.

Left and right gastric on the lesser curve, left and right gastro-omental on the greater curve, plus short gastrics

A memory aid for the five arteries supplying the stomach.

Inner oblique, middle circular and outer longitudinal

A memory aid for why the stomach has three muscle layers rather than two.

Cardia, fundus, body, antrum and pylorus

A memory aid for the five parts of the stomach.

Some Anatomists Vow Never Forget

Mnemonic for the order of structures within the parotid gland from superficial to deep.

Ulnar nerve and artery, palmaris longus tendon and the palmar cutaneous branches of the median and ulnar nerves

A memory aid for what passes over rather than through the flexor retinaculum.

Between the style and the mastoid, the face makes its exit

Mnemonic for the nerve exiting the stylomastoid foramen.

VIT-C, D

Mnemonic for the branches of the subclavian artery.

Many little ducts, no single big door

Mnemonic for the multiple small ducts of the sublingual gland.

Wharton's duct opens at the front floor, beside the tongue's tied door

Mnemonic for the location of the submandibular duct opening.

Hangs from the lingual nerve like a drop of drool

Mnemonic for the position of the submandibular ganglion.

Brachioradialis, Extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, Extensor digitorum, Extensor digiti minimi, Extensor carpi ulnaris, Anconeus

A memory aid for the superficial extensor muscles of the forearm.

Lower limb, buttock, abdominal wall below the umbilicus, perineum, anal canal below the pectinate line and scrotal skin

A memory aid for the territory drained by the superficial inguinal nodes.

Feel it just in front of the ear, the temple's pulse is always near

Mnemonic for the location of the superficial temporal artery pulse.

Cephalic vein laterally, basilic vein medially, median cubital vein joining them at the elbow

A memory aid for the main superficial veins of the arm.

SIN and RAD

Mnemonic for the combined actions of the oblique eye muscles.

Supplies the hip abductors; injury causes the pelvis to drop on the opposite side

A memory aid for the superior gluteal nerve and the Trendelenburg sign.

Superior intercostal artery from the costocervical trunk; superior intercostal vein to the brachiocephalic or azygos vein

A memory aid for the vessels of the upper two intercostal spaces.

Internal feels, external tightens, two branches with two different heightenings

Mnemonic for the two branches of the superior laryngeal nerve.

Inferior pancreaticoduodenal, jejunal and ileal, ileocolic, right colic and middle colic arteries

A memory aid for the branches of the superior mesenteric artery.

The third part of the duodenum is compressed between the aorta behind and the superior mesenteric artery in front

A memory aid for compression of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery.

Live Free To See Anything

Mnemonic for the nerves passing through the superior orbital fissure.

Union of the right and left brachiocephalic veins, with the azygos vein as its only named tributary

A memory aid for how the superior vena cava is formed and what drains into it.

Troisier finds trouble on the left, above the collarbone's cleft

Mnemonic reinforcing the clinical importance of the left supraclavicular lymph node.

Some Guys Marry, Divorce, Get Married

Mnemonic for the four suprahyoid muscles above the hyoid bone.

Formed by branches of the tibial and common fibular nerves, supplying the posterolateral leg and lateral foot

A memory aid for the formation and use of the sural nerve.

Post is quick, ant takes its time

Mnemonic for the relative closure timing of the fontanelles.

Runs on the heads of the ribs, with about eleven or twelve ganglia and the stellate ganglion at its upper end

A memory aid for the course of the thoracic sympathetic chain.

Talus, Calcaneus, Navicular, Cuboid and the medial, intermediate and lateral Cuneiforms

A memory aid for the seven tarsal bones of the foot.

Sweet salty sour bitter, all buds sense them all, no zone is stricter

Mnemonic for correcting the outdated tongue taste map idea.

Front Chorda, Back Glosso

Mnemonic for which nerves carry taste and touch from the anterior and posterior tongue.

A one-way valve traps air, raising intrathoracic pressure and obstructing venous return

A memory aid for why a tension pneumothorax causes cardiovascular collapse.

From the posterior abdominal wall through the inguinal canal into the scrotum by birth

A memory aid for the path and timing of testicular descent.

Testis drains to para-aortic nodes; scrotum drains to inguinal nodes

A mnemonic for why the testis and scrotum drain to different lymph nodes.

Thymoma, Teratoma, Thyroid (retrosternal), Terrible lymphoma

A mnemonic for the differential diagnosis of an anterior mediastinal mass.

Opponens pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis

A mnemonic for the three thenar muscles of the thumb.

Down and out, lid's dropping, pupil's blown

Mnemonic for the classic clinical triad of a complete CN III palsy.

Bronchial, oesophageal, mediastinal and pericardial branches, plus posterior intercostal and subcostal arteries

A memory aid for the visceral and parietal branches of the descending thoracic aorta.

T4 at the nipple, T6 at the xiphoid, T10 at the umbilicus, L1 at the groin

A mnemonic for the key dermatome levels on the trunk.

Begins at the cisterna chyli, crosses to the left at T5, drains into the left venous angle

A memory aid for the course and drainage of the thoracic duct.

Trachea and oesophagus centrally, with vessels and nerves on either side

A memory aid for the structures passing through the superior thoracic aperture.

Parietal nodes drain the wall; visceral nodes drain the organs

A memory aid for the parietal and visceral lymph node groups of the thorax.

Costal facets on the body and transverse process, with long downward-sloping spinous processes

A memory aid for what distinguishes a thoracic vertebra.

T1 inlet, T4/5 sternal angle, T8 caval, T9 xiphisternum, T10 oesophagus, T12 aorta

A memory aid for the vertebral level of the main thoracic structures.

Peter Piper's Salty Snacks

Mnemonic for the three paired major salivary glands.

A triangular projection from the upper mediastinum in an infant, resembling a sail

A memory aid for the normal paediatric thymus on a chest radiograph.

A third pharyngeal pouch derivative lying in the anterior and superior mediastinum

A memory aid for the location and embryological origin of the thymus.

Try Swallowing Slowly

Mnemonic for the branches of the thyrocervical trunk.

From the tongue's back door down to its final address, cysts can pop up anywhere on the way

Mnemonic for the developmental path of the thyroglossal duct.

Shield shaped, guards the throat like ancient armour plate

Mnemonic for the protective shield-like shape of the thyroid cartilage.

Thyroid cartilage marks C4 to C5, the Adam's apple's home address

Mnemonic for the vertebral level of the thyroid cartilage.

Superior comes from above, inferior climbs from below

Mnemonic for the origin of the arteries supplying the thyroid gland.

Two three the isthmus you see, right below the cricoid at C6

Mnemonic for the vertebral level of the thyroid isthmus.

Plantarflexes and inverts the foot and supplies sensation to the sole

A memory aid for the motor and sensory role of the tibial nerve.

Temporomandibular joint

The joint between the temporal bone and mandible.

Disc rides on top of the condyle like a saddle, dividing the joint in two

Mnemonic for the position of the articular disc within the TMJ.

TSS holds the jaw on a leash

Mnemonic for the three ligaments supporting the temporomandibular joint.

Rotation opens a little, translation opens a lot, hinge then glide, that's the plot

Mnemonic for the two stage movement of jaw opening at the TMJ.

Tibialis posterior, flexor Digitorum longus, posterior tibial Artery and Veins, tibial Nerve, flexor Hallucis longus

A mnemonic for tarsal tunnel contents from anterior to posterior.

Anterior two thirds from arch one, posterior third from arch three, different origins, same organ, that's why the nerves differ too

Mnemonic for the pharyngeal arch origin of the anterior and posterior tongue.

Style Helps Genius Pals

Mnemonic for the four extrinsic muscles of the tongue.

Tip and back drain both sides, the sides only drain their own side

Mnemonic for the bilateral versus unilateral lymphatic drainage of the tongue.

Twenty two bones build the skull's house, eight cranial, fourteen facial, quiet as a mouse

Mnemonic for the total number of bones in the skull.

Towne's looks through the foramen magnum, straight down the pipe

Mnemonic for the purpose and technique of the Towne's radiographic view.

Pushed away by pneumothorax and effusion; pulled towards by collapse and fibrosis

A memory aid for the causes of tracheal deviation and their direction.

Aortic arch and great vessels in front and to the left, oesophagus behind

A memory aid for the structures around the trachea in the superior mediastinum.

Sixteen to twenty C-shaped cartilages, open posteriorly and bridged by the trachealis muscle

A memory aid for the structure of the trachea and why its cartilages are incomplete.

Proximal oesophageal atresia with a distal fistula in about 85 per cent

A memory aid for the commonest form of tracheo-oesophageal fistula.

Between rings two and three, below the cricoid, that's the key

Mnemonic for the correct level of a surgical tracheostomy.

At L1, halfway between the suprasternal notch and the pubic symphysis

A memory aid for the structures lying at the transpyloric plane.

A continuous fascial sheet whose defect forms the deep inguinal ring

A memory aid for the role of transversalis fascia in the groin.

Transversus thoracis in front, innermost intercostals laterally, subcostals behind

A memory aid for the three components of the innermost layer of the thoracic wall.

Upper shrugs, middle retracts, lower depresses

Mnemonic for the three functional parts of trapezius.

Arch one's a mess, jaw and ear both regress

Mnemonic for the developmental basis of Treacher Collins syndrome.

Lateral border of pectoralis major, anterior border of latissimus dorsi, and a line above the fifth intercostal space

A memory aid for the boundaries of the safe triangle for chest drain insertion.

Triangular space holds the circumflex scapular artery; quadrangular space holds the axillary nerve; triangular interval holds the radial nerve

A memory aid for the contents of the three intermuscular spaces at the back of the shoulder.

Anterior, posterior and septal papillary muscles, with the moderator band to the anterior muscle

A memory aid for the papillary muscles and the moderator band in the right ventricle.

Standing Room Only

Mnemonic for the order of the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve.

Cuff the arm, the hand spasms like a claw, another calcium low flaw

Mnemonic for eliciting and interpreting Trousseau's sign.

Tricuspid, Pulmonary, Mitral, Aortic

A mnemonic for the order in which blood passes the four heart valves.

All intrinsic hand muscles except the LOAF muscles of the median nerve

A memory aid for the intrinsic hand muscles supplied by the ulnar nerve.

Umbilical hernias pass through the ring itself; paraumbilical hernias pass through the linea alba beside it

A memory aid for the difference between umbilical and paraumbilical hernias.

One median, two medial and two lateral umbilical folds

A memory aid for the peritoneal folds on the inner surface of the anterior abdominal wall.

C5 lateral arm, C6 thumb, C7 middle finger, C8 little finger, T1 medial arm

A memory aid for the key sensory landmarks of the upper limb dermatomes.

Biceps C5 to C6, Supinator C6, Triceps C7 to C8

A mnemonic for the nerve roots of the upper limb deep tendon reflexes.

Patent urachus, urachal sinus, urachal cyst and bladder diverticulum

A memory aid for the remnants of the allantois between bladder and umbilicus.

Pelviureteric junction, pelvic brim and vesicoureteric junction

A memory aid for the three sites where ureteric stones impact.

Recurrent laryngeal, cardiac, pulmonary and oesophageal branches

A memory aid for the thoracic branches of the vagus nerve.

Vein, Artery, Nerve

A mnemonic for the intercostal neurovascular bundle order.

Voice breaks, swallowing's a task, shoulder droops, nine ten eleven unmasked

Mnemonic for the clinical presentation of jugular foramen syndrome.

Vertebral artery enters at C6, and climbs the transverse foramina all the way up

Mnemonic for the vertebral level at which the vertebral artery enters the transverse foramina.

V1 rises, V2 hides, V3 loops, V4 dives

Mnemonic for the four segments of the vertebral artery.

Left Virchow's node signals trouble below

Mnemonic for the significance of an enlarged left supraclavicular lymph node.

Foregut epigastric, midgut periumbilical, hindgut suprapubic

A mnemonic for where pain from each part of the gut is felt.

Meckel's diverticulum, vitelline fistula, sinus, cyst and fibrous band

A memory aid for the spectrum of vitelline duct remnants.

PCA opens, everyone else closes, CT tightens, TA loosens the noses of sound

Mnemonic combining abduction and tension control of the vocal cords into one memory aid.

CT tightens, TA loosens

Mnemonic for which muscles tighten and which loosen the vocal cords.

Lingual below, palatine at the sides, tubal by the ears, pharyngeal up high, a ring of guards for the throat

Mnemonic for the protective function and layout of Waldeyer's ring.

A ring of guards around the throat

Mnemonic for the four sets of tonsils forming Waldeyer's ring.

Anterior, posterior, medial and lateral walls of the axilla

A memory aid for the four walls of the axilla and their muscles.

The ureter (water) passes under the uterine artery or vas deferens (the bridge)

A mnemonic for the relationship of the ureter to the uterine artery and vas deferens.

Waters shows the sinuses, chin up to clear the base

Mnemonic for the purpose and technique of the Waters radiographic view.

Wharton's is under the tongue's floor, Stensen's by the second molar, remember the door

Mnemonic contrasting the two major salivary duct openings.

Medial winging from long thoracic nerve palsy, lateral winging from spinal accessory nerve palsy

A memory aid for the two types of winged scapula and their nerves.

Zygomaticus major pulls up and out, a diagonal smile without a doubt

Mnemonic for the diagonal pull of zygomaticus major during smiling.