Articles
Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and edited by countless contributing members over a period of time. A global group of dedicated editors oversee accuracy, consulting with expert advisers, and constantly reviewing additions.
309 results found
Article
Popliteal fossa anatomy (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember popliteal fossa anatomy (medial-to-lateral arrangement) is:
Serve And Volley Next Ball
Mnemonic
S: semimembranosus and semitendinosus (superomedial border)
A: artery (popliteal artery)
V: vein (popliteal vein)
N: nerve (tibial nerve)
B: biceps femoris (super...
Article
External jugular vein tributaries (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember external jugular vein (formed by the retromandibular and posterior auricular veins) tributaries is:
PAST
Mnemonic
P: posterior external jugular vein
A: anterior jugular vein
S: suprascapular vein
T: transverse cervical vein
Article
Broad ligament contents (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the contents of the broad ligament is:
BROAD
Mnemonic
B: bundle (ovarian neurovascular bundle)
R: round ligament
O: ovarian ligament
A: artifacts (vestigial structures)
D: duct (oviduct)
Article
Branches of internal iliac artery (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the branches of the internal iliac artery is:
I Love Going Places In My Very Own Underwear!
Mnemonic
I: iliolumbar artery
L: lateral sacral artery
G: gluteal (superior and inferior) arteries
P: (internal) pudendal artery
I: inferior vesical (vaginal in female...
Article
Sacral nerve plexus - posterior components (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the posterior components of the sacral plexus is:
Crime Scene InvestiGation
Mnemonic
C: common peroneal nerve
S: superior gluteal nerve
I: inferior gluteal nerve
Article
Femoral triangle boundaries (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the boundaries of the femoral triangle is:
SAIL
This should be easy to remember because the femoral triangle is shaped like a sail.
Mnemonic
S: sartorius
A: adductor longus
IL: inguinal ligament
Article
Chest radiograph preinterpretation (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for chest radiograph preinterpretation is:
POPIRAM
Mnemonic
P: projection, PA (Posterior-Anterior) or AP (Anterior-Posterior)? left lateral or right lateral?
O: orientation, determine left and right of the chest x-ray
P: penetration (of the x-ray), under- or over-penetrat...
Article
Osteoarthritis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the main signs of osteoarthritis on plain radiography is:
LOSS
Mnemonic
L: loss of joint space
O: osteophytes
S: subchondral cysts
S: subchondral sclerosis
Mnemonics for Heberden nodes and Bouchard nodes:
Heberden- Distal interphalangeal joint (H-D) (High Definitio...
Article
Retroperitoneal organs (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember which organs are retroperitoneal is:
SAD PUCKER
Mnemonic
S: suprarenal (adrenal) gland
A: aorta/IVC
D: duodenum (second and third part)
P: pancreas (except tail)
U: ureters
C: colon (ascending and descending)
K: kidneys
E: (o)esophagus
R: rectum
Article
Thyroid mass (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for thyroidal mass differential diagnosis is:
CATCH
Mnemonic
C: carcinoma
A: adenoma
T: thyroiditis
C: colloid cyst
H: hyperplasia (parathyroid gland)
Article
Common causes of bronchiectasis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the common causes of bronchiectasis is:
CAPT Kangaroo has Mounier-Kuhn
Mnemonic
C: cystic fibrosis or congenital cystic bronchiectasis (Williams-Campbell syndrome)
A: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
P: post-infectious (most common)
T: tuberculosis (gra...
Article
Diffuse bony sclerosis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering the causes of diffuse bony sclerosis is:
3 M's PROOF
Mnemonic
3 M's PROOF
M: malignancy
metastases (osteoblastic metastases)
lymphoma
leukemia
M: myelofibrosis
M: mastocytosis
S: sickle cell disease
P: Paget disease of the bone/pyknodysostosis
R: renal oste...
Article
Pneumatosis intestinalis (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for remembering the causes of pneumatosis intestinalis is:
ChIPS
Mnemonic
C: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
I: ischemia
P: pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis
S: scleroderma/steroids
Article
Bowel sacculation (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember causes of bowel sacculation is:
MISC
Mnemonic
M: metastasis
I: ischemia
S: scleroderma
C: Crohn disease
Article
Generalized colitis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the causes of generalized colitis is:
I3NR
Mnemonic
I: infectious colitis e.g. E. coli, cytomegalovirus
I: inflammatory, e.g. pseudomembranous colitis, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis
I: ischemic colitis
N: neoplastic, e.g. lymphoma
R: radiation colitis
Article
Esophageal mass (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the causes of an esophageal mass is:
CALL the MVP
Mnemonic
C: carcinoma
A: adenoma
L: lymphoma
L: leiomyoma
M: metastasis
V: varices
P: papilloma/polyp
Article
Bronchovascular spread (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember diseases that undergo bronchovascular spread is:
SKILL
Mnemonic
S: sarcoidosis
K: Kaposi sarcoma
I: infection (e.g. pneumocystis pneumonia, tuberculosis)
L: lymphoma
L: lymphangitis carcinomatosis
Article
Obliterative bronchiolitis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the causes of obliterative bronchiolitis is:
CRITTS
Mnemonic
C: cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), cystic fibrosis
R: rheumatoid arthritis
I: infectious: post-viral/post-atypical infection (e.g. Mycoplasma pneumonia)
T: transplant: heart/lung/hematopoietic stem ...
Article
Fingertip lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for fingertip lesions is:
GEMS
Mnemonic
G: glomus tumor
E: epidermoid / enchondroma / subungual exostosis
M: metastasis (almost exclusively from lung)
S: sarcoidosis
Article
Soft tissue calcification (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the causes of soft tissue calcification include:
My GHOSTS 1
TIC MTV 2
Mnemonics
My GHOSTS
My: myositis ossificans
G: gout
H: hyperparathyroidism
O: ochronosis
S: scleroderma/connective tissue diseases
T: tumoral calcinosis
S: sarcoma (synovial cell)
TIC MTV
T:...
Article
Calcaneal lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for calcaneal lesions is:
BIG G
Mnemonic
B: bone cyst (unicameral)
I: intraosseous lipoma
G: ganglion (intraosseous)
G: giant cell tumor
Article
Posterior vertebral element lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for posterior vertebral element lesions is:
GO TAPE
Mnemonic
G: giant cell tumor
O: osteoid osteoma / osteoblastoma
T: tuberculosis
A: aneurysmal bone cyst
P: Paget disease
E: eosinophilic granuloma
Article
Lucent/lytic skull lesions (mnemonic)
Two mnemonics to remember the causes of lucent/lytic skull lesions are:
MEL TORME
TROMMEL
HELP ME TO HOLD
Mnemonic
MEL TORME
M: metastasis
E: eosinophilic granuloma
L: lymphoma/Langerhans cell histiocytosis
T: tuberculosis
O: osteomyelitis
R: radiation
M: multiple myeloma
E: epide...
Article
Permeative process in bone (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for permeative processes in bone is:
FIRE MD
Mnemonic
F: fibrosarcoma
I: infection
R: round cell tumors (Ewing sarcoma)
E: eosinophilic granuloma
M: metastases/myeloma/malignant fibrous histiocytoma
D: desmoid tumor
See also
permeative process in bone
pseudopermeative proce...
Article
Vertebra plana (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the causes of vertebra plana include:
I MELT
FETISH
Mnemonics
I MELT
I: infection
M: metastasis/myeloma
E: eosinophilic granuloma
L: lymphoma/leukemia
T: trauma/tuberculosis
FETISH
F: fracture (trauma)
E: eosinophilic granuloma
T: tumor (e.g. metastases, myelom...
Article
Bone cortical lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for bony cortical lesions is:
Fear Of Missing Out S
Mnemonic
F: fibrosarcoma
O: osteoid osteoma
M: metastasis
O: osteomyelitis
S: stress fracture
Article
Diaphyseal lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for a short list of diaphyseal lesions is:
CEMENT
Mnemonic
C: bone cysts
E: enchondroma/Ewing sarcoma
M: bone metastasis
E: eosinophilic granuloma
N: non-ossifying fibroma (NOF)
T: tuberculosis/osteomyelitis
Article
Short metacarpals (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering the causes of short metacarpals is:
BIC Pen
Mnemonic
B: basal cell nevus syndrome
I: idiopathic, infections
C: chromosomal: Turner syndrome
P: pseudohypoparathyroidism/pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism
Article
Madelung deformity associations (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic for remembering the associations of Madelung deformity is:
HIT DOC
Mnemonic
H: Hurler syndrome
I: infection
T: trauma
D: dyschondrosteosis
O: osteochondroma (multiple hereditary exostoses)
C: congenital, e.g. Turner syndrome
Main article
Madelung deformity
Article
Sternoclavicular sclerosis (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for sternoclavicular sclerosis include:
STOP
SPOT
Mnemonic
S: SAPHO syndrome
T: traumatic osteolysis
O: osteomyelitis/osteosarcoma
P: Paget disease
Article
Subchondral cysts (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the causes of subchondral cysts is:
COORS
Mnemonic
C: CPPD
O: osteoarthritis
O: osteonecrosis
R: rheumatoid arthritis
S: synovial-based tumors
See also
Geode (subchondral cyst)
Article
Thoracic plane (mnemonic)
A handy mnemonic to remember the structures found at the level of the thoracic plane (also known as the plane of Ludwig) is:
CLAPTRAP
RAT PLANT
Mnemonic
CLAPTRAP
C: cardiac plexus
L: ligamentum arteriosum
A: aortic arch (inner concavity)
P: pulmonary trunk
T: tracheal bifurcation (carin...
Article
Facial nerve segments (mnemonic)
Helpful mnemonics for remembering the segments of the facial nerve include:
I Love Going To Makeover Parties 1
I Love Grinning, Then Making Pouts
both grinning and pouting are performed by muscles which are innervated by the facial nerve
I Must Learn To Make (facial) Expressions
Mnemonics
...
Article
Intrinsic muscles of the hand (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics to recall the intrinsic muscles of the hand and some of their features include:
All For One And One For All
PAd DAb
FOAL/LOAF
Mnemonics
All For One And One For All
This mnemonic recalls the intrinsic muscles of the hand in their relative palmar anatomical position from lat...
Article
Renal papillary necrosis (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for the causes of renal papillary necrosis are plentiful and include:
NSAID
POSTCARDS
AD SPORT C: a list of causes in decreasing order of incidence
DINASOR
Mnemonics
NSAID
Most common causes:
N: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
S: sickle cell disease
A: acetamin...
Article
Branches of the external carotid artery (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for the branches of the external carotid artery abound. A few colorful examples include:
Some American Ladies Found Our Pyramids Most Satisfactory
Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students
She Always Likes Friends Over Papa, Mama, and Sister
There are many many many ...
Article
Protrusio acetabuli (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for remembering the causes of protrusio acetabuli include:
PROTrusio acetabuli
My PROTRUSIO
Mnemonics
PROTrusio acetabuli
Includes the most common causes
P: Paget disease
R: rheumatoid arthritis (and other arthritides such as osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idio...
Article
Emergency CT head (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic which is used to read an emergency head CT scan is:
Blood Can Be Very Bad
Mnemonic
Using a systematic approach will help to ensure that significant neuropathology will not be missed.
B: blood
look for epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, ...
Article
Lytic bone lesion surrounded by marked sclerosis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for lytic bone lesions surrounded by marked sclerosis is:
BOOST
Mnemonic
BOOST
B: brodie abscess
O: osteoblastoma
O: osteoid osteoma
S: stress fracture
T: tuberculosis
Article
Dense transverse metaphyseal lines (mnemonic)
Common causes of dense transverse metaphyseal lines can be remembered using the mnemonics:
DENSE LINES
PRINCES
Mnemonics
DENSE LINES
D: D-vitamin intoxication
E: elemental arsenic and heavy metals (lead, bismuth, phosphorus)
N: normal variation
S: systemic illness
E: estrogen to mother ...
Article
Multiple benign lucent bone lesions (mnemonic)
Some of the causes of multiple benign lucent bone lesions can be recalled with the following mnemonics:
Never Pee On Huge Heavy Elephants From Jersey City
CHEF JOHN P
Mnemonics
Never Pee On Huge Heavy Elephants From Jersey City
N: neurofibromatosis (type 1)
P: Paget disease
O: Ollier dise...
Article
Osteolysis of distal clavicle (mnemonic)
There are useful mnemonics for the causes of tapered osteolysis of the distal clavicle. They are as follows:
SHORT Pencil
SHIRT Pocket
Mnemonics
SHORT Pencil
Potentially easy to remember because the diseased clavicle looks similar to a sharpened pencil.
S: scleroderma
H: hyperparathyroidi...
Article
Focal sclerotic bony lesions (mnemonic)
A popular mnemonic to help remember causes of focal sclerotic bony lesions is:
HOME LIFE
Mnemonic
H: healed non-ossifying fibroma (NOF)
O: osteoma
M: metastasis
E: Ewing sarcoma
L: lymphoma
I: infection or infarct
F: fibrous dysplasia
E: enchondroma
Article
Bony lesions without periostitis or pain (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help remember bony lesions that have no pain or periostitis is:
E FUN
Mnemonic
E: enchondroma
F: fibrous dysplasia
U: unicameral bone cyst
N: non-ossifying fibroma
If periostitis or pain is present (assuming no trauma, which can be a foolhardy assumption), you can exclude E ...
Article
Bony sequestrum (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to help remember common causes of bony sequestrum include:
E-FILM
LIFE
FILE
Mnemonics
E-FILM
E: eosinophilic granuloma
F: fibrosarcoma
I: infection (Brodie abscess)
L: lymphoma (skeletal)
M: malignant fibrous histiocytoma or metastasis (especially from breast carcinoma)
LI...
Article
Multiple lucent/lytic bone lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering multiple lucent/lytic bones lesions is:
FEEMHI
The list of lucent/lytic bone lesions is huge. However, where there are multiple lesions, the potential list of differentials is considerably shorter and FFEMHI, while not exhaustive, is a good place to start.
Mnemonic
...
Article
Bronchial fracture (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the features of a bronchial fracture on a chest radiograph is:
Ps (or written as PPP or PPPP)
Mnemonic
Ps: progressive or persistent pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum
Article
Primitive arteries in the brain (mnemonic)
The primitive arteries in the brain can be remembered by the following mnemonic:
HOT MAP
Mnemonic
H: hypoglossal
O: otic
T: trigeminal
M: meningohypophyseal
A: anterior choroidal
P: posterior inferior cerebellar (PICA)
The meningohypophyseal trunk and anterior choroidal and posterior in...
Article
Conditions with lower lobe predominance (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for conditions with a lower lobe predominance in chest radiology include:
CIA
BAD AS
RASCO
Mnemonics
CIA
C: collagen vascular diseases
I: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
A: asbestosis
BAD AS
B: bronchiectasis
A: aspiration pneumonia
D: drugs; desquamative interstitial pneumon...
Article
Pneumobilia vs portal venous gas (mnemonic)
Pneumobilia and portal venous gas are two causes of an intrahepatic branching gas pattern. The two have different causes and implications and need to be distinguished on imaging, and a simple mnemonic can help.
Mnemonic
A simple mnemonic for remembering the difference in appearance is:
p...
Article
Layers of the scalp (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the layers of the scalp is:
SCALP
This is particularly helpful when considering the location of a scalp hematoma.
Mnemonic
S: skin
C: connective tissue
A: (galea) aponeurosis
L: loose connective tissue
P: periosteum
Article
Tetralogy of fallot (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the underlying anatomic defects in tetralogy of Fallot is:
PROVe
Mnemonic
P: pulmonary stenosis
R: right ventricular hypertrophy
O: overriding aorta
V: ventricular septal defect
Article
Lymphangitic carcinomatosis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the causes of lymphangitic carcinomatosis is:
Certain Cancers Spread By Plugging The Lymphatics
Mnemonic
C: cervix
C: colon
S: stomach
B: breast
P: prostate and pancreas
T: thyroid
L: larynx and lung
Another mnemonic to remember most common causes are BLS (Basic Life Sup...
Article
Erlenmeyer flask deformity (mnemonic)
Some of the causes of an Erlenmeyer flask deformity can be recalled with the following mnemonics:
LORA CHONG
AP OF DR GHLN
CHONG
Lead GNOME
APC(de)FGH
Mnemonics
LORA CHONG
L: leukemia, lead poisoning
O: osteopetrosis, osteochondromatosis
R: rheumatoid arthritis, rickets
A: achondropla...
Article
Nasal septum perforation (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the causes of nasal septum perforation are:
Nasal Septal Cartilage Surgery Stops The Leaky Goo
Say Water Coke Syrup Sugar Lemonade or say Nothing
Mnemonics
Nasal Septal Cartilage Surgery Stops The Leaky Goo
N: non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
S: sarcoidosis
C: cocaine
S: ...
Article
Basilar invagination (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help recall the causes of basilar invagination is:
PF ROACH
Mnemonic
P: Paget disease of bone
F: fibrous dysplasia
R: rheumatoid arthritis, rickets
O: osteogenesis imperfecta, osteomalacia
A: achondroplasia
C: Chiari I and Chiari II, cleidocranial dysostosis
H: hyperparath...
Article
Causes of acute confusion in the elderly (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help recall some of the causes of acute confusion in the elderly:
How Come 'Dis DoDo Is Excited
Mnemonic
H: hypoxia
C: constipation
D: drug effects
D: diabetes mellitus
D: dehydration
I: infection
E: electrolyte imbalance
Article
Tendons of pes anserinus (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for remembering the three conjoined tendons that make up the pes anserinus include:
Say Grace before Tea
SerGeanT
Sui Gas Supply
Mnemonics
From anterior to posterior, the tendons are:
Say Grace before Tea
S: sartorius
G: gracilis
T: semitendinosus
SerGeanT
S: sartorius
G: g...
Article
Trigeminal nerve branches (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering the names of the skull foramina that the division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V) pass through is:
Standing Room Only
Mnemonic
S: superior orbital fissure (ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve)
R: foramen rotundum (maxillary division of trigeminal nerve)
O: fora...
Article
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (mnenomic)
The symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) can be recalled with the following mnemonics:
wet, wacky, wobbly
AID
Mnemonics
wet: urinary incontinence
wacky: dementia (memory disturbance)
wobbly: gait disturbance
A: ataxic gait
I: incontinence
D: dementia
Article
Pubic symphysis widening (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for widening of the pubic symphysis is:
EPOCH
Mnemonic
E: bladder exstrophy
P: prune belly syndrome
O: osteogenesis imperfecta
C: cleidocranial dysostosis
H: hypothyroidism
Note that this mnemonic does not include pubic diastasis secondary to trauma, a common cause of pubic sy...
Article
Common calcifying metastases (mnemonic)
A simple mnemonic to recall a list of commonly calcifying metastases is:
BOTOM
Mnemonic
B: breast cancer
O: osteosarcoma
T: papillary thyroid cancer
O: ovarian cancer (especially mucinous)
M: mucinous adenocarcinoma (especially colorectal carcinoma)
Article
Lucent/lytic rib lesion (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for lucent/lytic rib lesions include:
FAME
FEMALES
These are just short lists for the possible causes of a lucent/lytic rib lesion. The list of lucent/lytic bone lesions is far longer.
Mnemonics
FAME
F: fibrous dysplasia
A: aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC)
M: metastasis to bone/mult...
Article
Acro-osteolysis (mnemonic)
The causes of acro-osteolysis can be remembered using the mnemonic:
PINCH FO
Mnemonic
P: psoriasis/pyknodysostosis
I: injury, e.g. thermal burn, frost bite
N: neuropathy, e.g. diabetes mellitus, leprosy
C: collagen vascular disease, e.g. scleroderma, Raynaud disease
H: hyperparathyroidism...
Article
Breast lesion localization (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help remember breast lesion localization when given a set of mammograms in mediolateral oblique (MLO) and 90-degree/true lateral (mediolateral [ML] or lateromedial [LM]) views to predict laterality is:
muffins rise and lead falls
This can help localize a finding on MLO during dia...
Article
Bladder calcification (mnemonic)
A simple mnemonic to recall the common causes of bladder calcification is:
SCRITT
Mnemonic
S: schistosomiasis
C: cytotoxic: see radiation and chemotherapy induced cystitis
R: radiation: see radiation and chemotherapy induced cystitis
I: interstitial cystitis
T: tuberculosis
T: transition...
Article
Radiographic features of a Charcot joint (mnemonic)
The radiographic features of a Charcot joint can be remembered by using the following mnemonics:
5 Ds or
6 Ds (separating disorganization and dislocation)
Mnemonic
density change (subchondral osteopenia or sclerosis)
destruction (osseous fragmentation and resorption)
debris (intra-articula...
Article
Abdominal organ echogenicity (mnemonic)
This mnemonic helps to remember the relative echogenicity of abdominal organs on ultrasound:
Darling Parents So Love Kids
Mnemonic
From most to least echogenic:
D: diaphragm
P: pancreas
S: spleen
L: liver
K: kidneys (cortex)
Article
Galeazzi and Monteggia fracture-dislocations (mnemonic)
There are several mnemonics for the difference between a Galeazzi and a Monteggia fracture-dislocation:
GRIMUS
MUGR (pronounced as mugger)
FROG
GRUesome MURder
Manchester United / Glasgow Rangers
It is useful to note that it is the head of the non-fractured bone that is disl...
Article
Surgical sieve (mnemonic)
A surgical sieve is an approach to differential diagnosis that prompts the user to consider various types of pathologies systematically. A surgical sieve does not need to be a mnemonic 2, although many find it easier to remember it when a mnemonic is used. Various versions of this mnemonic exist...
Article
Posterior ankle tendons (mnemonic)
Mnemonics that can be used to remember the anatomy of the ankle tendons from anterior to posterior as they pass posterior to the medial malleolus of the tibia under the flexor retinaculum in the tarsal tunnel include:
Tom, Dick and Harry
Tom, Dick And Very Nervous Harry
Mnemonic
Tom, Dick an...
Article
Anterior ankle tendons (mnemonic)
A mnemonic that refers to the order of the anterior ankle tendons around the ankle is:
Tom Hates Dick
The mnemonic can be used to remember the order of the tendons from medial to lateral as they pass under the extensor retinaculum of the ankle.
Mnemonic
T: tibialis anterior
H: extensor hal...
Article
Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (mnemonic)
The causes of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema can be recalled with the following mnemonic:
NOT CARDIAC
Mnemonic
NOT CARDIAC
N: near drowning
O: O2 therapy/post-intubation pulmonary edema
T: trauma/transfusion (TRALI: transfusion-related acute lung injury)
C: CNS: neu...
Article
Hair on end sign (mnemonic)
The hair on end sign refers to a radiographic appearance of the diploic space of the skull vault which results from a thickening of trabeculae as the diploic space expands. These trabeculae are perpendicular in orientation, interspersed by radiolucent marrow hyperplasia along with skull vault.
...
Article
Carpal bones (mnemonic)
Mnemonics of the carpal bones are numerous and useful for memorizing the order and location of the bones.
Some mnemonics name the carpal bones in a circle, starting with the proximal row from the scaphoid towards the pinky (small finger) and then the distal row starting from the hamate towards ...
Article
Germ cell tumors (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the differential diagnosis for germ cell tumors is:
SECTE
Mnemonic
S: seminoma
E: embryonal cell carcinoma
C: choriocarcinoma
T: teratoma
E: endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac tumor)
Article
Lung consolidation (mnemonic)
A commonly used mnemonic for recalling the features of consolidation is:
A2BC3
Mnemonic
A: acinar rosettes
A: air bronchogram/alveologram
B: bat-wing distribution
C: coalescent/confluent ill-defined "fluffy" appearance
C: consolidation: diffuse, perihilar/bibasilar, lobar/segmental, locul...
Article
Anterosuperior mediastinal mass (mnemonic)
The common causes of an anterosuperior mediastinal mass can be remembered by using the mnemonic:
5 Ts
Mnemonic
T: thymus
T: thyroid
T: thoracic aorta
T: terrible lymphoma
T: teratoma and germ cell tumors - see mediastinal germ cell tumors
Testicular cancer metastasis can represent a sixt...
Article
Gracile bones (mnemonic)
The causes of gracile bones can be recalled with the following mnemonic:
NIMROD
Mnemonic
NIMROD
N: neurofibromatosis
I: immobilization/paralysis
M: muscular dystrophy, e.g. Duchenne muscular dystrophy
R: rheumatoid arthritis (juvenile RA)
O: osteogenesis imperfecta
D: dysplasia, e.g. Ma...
Article
Branches of maxillary artery (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering the branches of the maxillary artery is:
DAM I AM Piss Drunk But Stupid Drunk I Prefer, Must Phone Alcoholics Anonymous
Mnemonic
D: deep auricular artery
A: anterior tympanic artery
M: middle meningeal artery
I: inferior alveolar artery
A: accessory meningeal ar...
Article
Unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for a unilateral hyperlucent hemithorax include:
CRAWLS
SAFE POEM
ACROSSS
Mnemonics
CRAWLS
C: contralateral lung increased density (e.g. supine pleural effusion)
R: rotation
A: air (pneumothorax)
W: wall (chest wall mass, mastectomy, polio, Poland syndrome, surgical removal of...
Article
Focal pulmonary opacity (mnemonic)
Causes of focal pulmonary opacities on a chest radiograph can be remembered using the rather crude mnemonic:
4 Fs
Mnemonic
F: 'fection (pulmonary infection)
F: 'farction (pulmonary infarction)
F: fluid (pulmonary edema)
F: f***ed (lung cancer)
Article
Lichen aureus (mnemonic)
The skin changes of lichen aureus can be remembered with the following mnemonic:
5 Ps of lichen aureus
Mnemonic
pigmented purpuric papules in peripheral patches
Article
Adynamic ileus (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the common causes of adynamic ileus is:
5 Ps
Mnemonic
The classic "5 Ps" are:
P: postoperative
P: peritonitis
P: potassium: low (also disturbances of other electrolytes)
P: pelvic and spinal fractures
P: parturition
However, there are a few further Ps that can be included...
Article
Congenital hypothyroidism (mnemonic)
The features of an infant with congenital hypothyroidism can be recalled with the following mnemonic:
5 Ps
Mnemonic
P: pot belly
P: pallor
P: puffy face
P: protruding umbilicus
P: poked out tongue
Article
Lichen planus (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to describe the skin lesions associated with lichen planus is:
5 Ps
Mnemonic
P: planar
P: polygonal
P: pruritic
P: purple
P: papular
Article
Skin changes of mercury poisoning (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the skin changes associated with mercury poisoning is:
5 Ps
Mnemonic
P: pink
P: puffy
P: painful
P: paresthesia
P: peeling
Article
Carbolic acid poisoning symptoms (mnemonic)
The symptoms of carbolic acid poisoning can be recalled using the mnemonic:
5 Cs
Mnemonic
C: CNS depression
C: constricted pupil
C: carboluria (smoky urine)
C: cartilage
C: corneal deposition
Article
Causes of pulseless electrical activity (mnemonic)
Pulseless electrical activity is a very disconcerting emergency medical scenario with very high mortality unless its etiology can be quickly ascertained and corrected. A mnemonic to remember the different causes of pulseless electrical activity is:
MAD (triple H) CAT
Mnemonic
M: massive pulmo...
Article
Extrinsic muscles of the tongue (mnemonic)
The extrinsic muscles of the tongue can be remembered with the following mnemonic:
Paris St Germain's Hour
Mnemonic
Paris St. Germain's Hour
P: palatoglossus
S: styloglossus
G: genioglossus
H: hyoglossus
Article
Internal jugular vein tributaries (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the branches of the internal jugular vein is:
Medical Schools Let Fun People In
Mnemonic
From inferior to superior:
M: middle thyroid vein
S: superior thyroid vein
L: lingual vein
F: facial vein
P: pharyngeal vein
I: inferior petrosal sinus
Article
Cranial nerves (mnemonic)
There are many cranial nerve mnemonics that can be memorable and rude/lewd. Either way, they can be helpful for remembering the names of the twelve cranial nerves, as well as remembering which nerves are sensory, motor, or both.
Remembering cranial nerve names in order of CN I to CN XII:
On ol...
Article
Nystagmus (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic to remember the expected direction of nystagmus during a caloric test is:
COWS
Mnemonic
Cold-Opposite
Warm-Same
Following ear stimulation with water (left ear):
cold water (cooler than body temperature), a right-beating nystagmus (directed toward the opposite ear) result...
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