Anatomy subcategory

Neurological Examination

Mnemonics for cranial nerves, limbs, reflexes, gait and coordination.

Entries in Neurological Examination

Cerebellar Function Mnemonic

DANISH: Dysdiadochokinesia, Ataxia, Nystagmus, Intention tremor, Slurred speech, Hypotonia

A mnemonic for the signs of cerebellar dysfunction.

NeurophysiologyNeurological Examination
Cranial Nerve Functions Mnemonic

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

A mnemonic for the twelve cranial nerves and whether each is sensory or motor.

NeurophysiologyNeurological Examination
Cranial Nerve IX Bedside Test Mnemonic

Gag reflex afferent, posterior tongue taste and palatal sensation

A memory aid for testing the glossopharyngeal nerve.

Neurological Examination
Cranial Nerve Reflexes Mnemonic

Each reflex pairs a sensory nerve with a motor nerve

A memory aid for the afferent and efferent limbs of the main cranial nerve reflexes.

NeurophysiologyNeurological Examination
Cranial Nerve V Sensory Bedside Test Mnemonic

Three divisions tested separately, plus the corneal reflex

A memory aid for testing trigeminal sensation and the corneal reflex.

Neurological Examination
Cranial Nerve VIII Bedside Test Mnemonic

Whisper test, tuning forks, then the vestibular tests

A memory aid for testing hearing and vestibular function.

Neurological Examination
Cranial Nerves III, IV and VI Bedside Test Mnemonic

Eye movements, pupils, lids and diplopia together

A memory aid for testing the ocular motor nerves at the bedside.

Neurological ExaminationNeurological Emergencies
Dysphasia Versus Dysarthria Mnemonic

Language, articulation and voice are separate problems

A memory aid for distinguishing the disorders of speech and language.

Neurological Examination
Gait Abnormalities Mnemonic

Each gait points to a specific level of the nervous system

A memory aid for recognising the classic pathological gaits.

Neurological Examination
Nystagmus Types Mnemonic

Peripheral nystagmus is unidirectional and fatigable; central nystagmus is not

A memory aid for classifying nystagmus.

NeurophysiologyNeurological Examination
Parkinsonism Examination Mnemonic

Bradykinesia plus rigidity, tremor or postural instability

A memory aid for examining a patient with suspected Parkinson's disease.

Neurological Examination
Peripheral Neurological Examination Sequence Mnemonic

Inspection, tone, power, reflexes, coordination, sensation, gait

A memory aid for the order of a limb neurological examination.

Neurological Examination
Reflex Nerve Roots Mnemonic

Counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 from the ankle upwards

A mnemonic for the spinal root values of the deep tendon reflexes.

Neurological Examination
Thoracic Dermatome Landmarks Mnemonic

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.

ThoraxNeurological Examination
Upper Versus Lower Motor Neurone Lesions Mnemonic

Upper gives spasticity and brisk reflexes; lower gives wasting and absent reflexes

A memory aid for distinguishing upper from lower motor neurone signs.

NeurophysiologyNeurological Examination
Visual Field Defects Mnemonic

Lesion site determines the pattern, from monocular loss to homonymous hemianopia

A memory aid for localising lesions in the visual pathway.

NeurophysiologyNeurological Examination