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.
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Article
5-F rule (mnemonic)
The 5-F rule refers to risk factors for the development of cholelithiasis in an event of upper abdominal pain:
fair: more prevalent in Caucasian population 1
fat: BMI >30
female gender
fertile: one or more children
forty: age ≥40
cholelithiasis can occur in young patients with a positiv...
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
Abnormal collection of barium anywhere (mnemonic)
A mnemonic used for abnormal collection of barium anywhere in the body :
FEDUP
Mnemonic
F: fistula
E: extravasation
D: diverticulum
U: ulcer
P: perforation
Article
Accessory ossicles of the wrist (mnemonic)
Accessory ossicles of the wrist can be easily recalled with the mnemonic:
LOTTEO 1
Mnemonic
L: lunula
O: os styloideum (carpal boss)
T: (os) triangulare
T: (os) trapezium secondarium
E: (os) epilunate
O: os hamuli proprium
Article
Acetabular protrusion (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember causes of acetabular protrusion is:
PROTrusion
Mnemonic
P: Paget disease
R: rheumatoid arthritis
O: osteomalacia
Trusion: trauma
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, leprosy
C: collagen vascular disease, e.g. scleroderma, Raynaud disease
H: hyperparathyroidism
F: fami...
Article
Acute bacterial meningitis complications (mnemonic)
The complications of acute bacterial meningitis can be remembered using the mnemonic:
HACTIVE
Mnemonic
H: hydrocephalus
A: abscess
C: cerebritis / cranial nerve lesion
T: thrombosis
I: infarct
V: ventriculitis / vasculopathy
E: extra-axial collection: empyema and hygroma
Article
Ageing blood on MRI (mnemonic)
Ageing blood on MRI is dependent on the varying MR signal characteristics of haemorrhagic collections with time and can be very useful in correlating the imaging findings with the clinical picture. However, as it can be complicated to recall the MRI features of ageing blood through the five stag...
Article
Anterior ankle tendons (mnemonic)
A mnemonic that refers to the order of the ankle tendons that pass under the extensor retinaculum of the ankle running from medial to lateral is:
Tom Hates Dick
T: tibialis anterior
H: extensor hallucis longus
D: extensor digitorum longus
History and etymology
Tom, Dick and Harry were the ...
Article
Anterosuperior mediastinal mass (mnemonic)
The causes of an anterosuperior mediastinal mass can be remembered by using the mnemonic:
5 T's
Mnemonic
T: thymus-see primary tumours of the thymus
T: thyroid-see primary tumours of the thyroid
T: thoracic aorta-see causes of a dilated thoracic aorta
T: terrible lymphoma
T: teratoma and ...
Article
Aortic arch branches (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the major branches of the aortic arch is:
ABC'S
Mnemonic
A: arch of aorta
B: brachiocephalic trunk
C: left common carotid artery
S: left subclavian artery
Article
Apical lung disease (mnemonic)
A handy mnemonic to remember common apical lung disease is:
SET CARP or CARPETS
Mnemonic
S: sarcoidosis
E: eosinophilic pneumonia
T: tuberculosis
C: cystic fibrosis
A: ankylosing spondylitis
R: radiation pneumonitis
P: pneumoconiosis
Article
Auditory brainstem response tracing (mnemonic)
This mnemonic helps when remembering the ascending order of structures that corresponds to each waveform in an auditory brainstem response (ABR) tracing:
E COLI
Mnemonic
E: eighth nerve action potential (wave I)
C: cochlear nucleus (wave II)
O: olivary complex (superior) (wave III)
L: late...
Article
Avascular necrosis causes (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for the causes of avascular necrosis (AVN):
STARS
PLASTIC RAGS
ASEPTIC
Mnemonics
STARS
Most common causes:
S: steroids
T: trauma (e.g. femoral neck fracture, hip dislocation, scaphoid fracture)
A: alcohol abuse
R: radiation osteonecrosis
S: sickle cell disease
PLASTIC RAGS
...
Article
Axillary artery branches (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the branches of the axillary artery is:
S AL SAP
Mnemonic
S: Superior thoracic artery (from 1st part)
A: Acromiothoracic artery (from 2nd part)
L: Lateral thoracic artery (from 2nd part)
S: Subscapular artery (from 3rd part)
A: Anterior circumflex humeral art...
Article
Basilar invagination (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help recall the cases 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: hyperparathy...
Article
Behavioural changes in obstructive sleep apnoea (mnemonic)
A mnemonic used to remember the behavioural changes of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is:
APRIL
Mnemonic
A: aggression
P: poor school performance
R: restlessness
I: irritability
L: lack of concentration
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
Bladder wall calcification (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the causes of bladder wall calcification is:
CREST
Mnemonic
C: cystitis post radiation therapy / chemotherapy / chronic infection
R: radiation
E: eosinophilic cystitis
S: schistosomiasis
T: tuberculosis
Article
Bochdalek hernia features (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for remembering the features of a Bochdalek hernias is:
BBBBB
Mnemonic
B: Bochdalek
B: big
B: back and medial, usually on the left side
B: baby
B: bad (associated with pulmonary hypoplasia)
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 lymphoma)
M: malignant fibrous histiocytoma or metastasis (especially from breast carci...
Article
Bowel sacculation (mnemonic)
Mnemonic to remember causes of bowel sacculation include :
MISC
Mnemonic
M: metastasis
I: ischemia
S: scleroderma
C: Crohn’s disease
Article
Brachial plexus root order (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for brachial plexus root order include:
Red Tits Don't Come Back
Robbie T Drinks Cold Beer
Rugby Teams Drink Cold Beers
Read That Damn Cadaver Book
Really Tired, Don't Care Now (nerve instead of branch)
Where the first letter of each word represents subdivisions of the brachial p...
Article
Branches of internal carotid artery (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the branches of the internal carotid artery is:
A VIP'S COMMA
Mnemonic
A: anterior choroidal artery (C7)
V: Vidian artery (C2)
I: inferolateral trunk (C4)
P: posterior communicating artery (C7)
S: superior hypophyseal artery (C6)
C: caroticotympanic artery (...
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 (uterine in female...
Article
Branches of ophthalmic artery (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the branches of the ophthalmic artery is:
DR MCLESSI
Mnemonic
D: dorsal nasal artery
R: (central) retinal artery
M: muscular artery
C: ciliary arteries (long, short and anterior)
L: lacrimal artery
E: ethmoidal arteries (anterior and posterior)
S: supraorbi...
Article
Branches of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery (mnemonic)
Handy mnemonics to remember the branches of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery are:
SOI VU MR PIG (it can be remembered as SO fourth (IV) U MR PIG)
Oranges Under Some Ice Might Peel Instantly
Mnemonics
SOI VU MR PIG
S: superior vesical artery
O: obturator artery
IV: inferi...
Article
Branches of the posterior division of the internal iliac artery (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to remember the three branches of the posterior division of the internal iliac artery include:
I Love Sex
PILLS G
Mnemonic
I Love Sex
I: iliolumbar artery
L: lateral sacral artery
S: superior gluteal artery
PILLS G
P: posterior division of the internal iliac artery
IL: iliolu...
Article
Branches of the thoracoacromial artery (mnemonic)
Useful mnemonics to remember the four branches of the thoracoacromial artery are:
ABCD
CAlifornia Police Department
Cadavers Are Dead People
Mnemonic
ABCD
A: acromial
B: breast (pectoral)
C: clavicular
D: deltoid
CAlifornia Police Department
C: clavicular
A: acromial
P: pectoral
D...
Article
Breast lesion localisation (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help remember breast lesion localisation when given a set of mammograms (MLO and CC) is:
muffins rise and lead falls
This can help localise the lesion into the quadrant (e.g. upper, outer) to make ultrasound correlation easier.
Mnemonic
muffins rise: if the lesion is located me...
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: artefacts (vestigial structures)
D: duct (oviduct)
Article
Bronchial fracture (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for the features of a bronchial fracture on a chest radiograph is:
PPP
Mnemonic
P: progressive or
P: persistent pneumothorax or
P: pneumomediastinum
Article
Bronchiectasis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember common causes of bronchiectasis is:
CAPT Kangaroo has Mounier Kuhn
Mnemonic
C: cystic fibrosis or congenital cystic bronchiectasis
A: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
P: post-infectious (most common)
T: tuberculosis (granulomatous disease)
K: Kartagene...
Article
Bronchopulmonary segments (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the bronchopulmonary segments is:
A PALM Seed Makes Another Little Palm (right lung)
ASIA ALPS (left lung)
Mnemonic
'A PALM Seed Makes Another Little Palm'
right upper lobe
A: apical segment
P: posterior segment
A: anterior segment
middle lobe
L: lateral s...
Article
Bronchovascular spread (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember pulmonary involvement with bronchovascular spread include:
SKILL
Mnemonic
S: sarcoidosis
K: kaposi
I: infection: PCP/TB
L: lymphoma
L: lymphangitic spread
Article
Calcaneal lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for calcaneal lesions include:
BIG G
Mnemonic
B: bone cyst (unicameral)
I: intraosseous lipoma
G: ganglion (intraosseous)
G: giant cell tumour
Article
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
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
Cardiophrenic angle mass (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the differential diagnoses of a cardiophrenic angle mass is:
Fat PAD
Mnemonic
F: fat
P: pericardial cyst
A: aneurysm, adenopathy (lymph nodes)
D: diaphragmatic hernia
Article
Carpal bones (mnemonic)
Mnemonics of the carpal bone are numerous and useful for memorising the order and location carpal bones. They usually describe the position of the carpal bones from latera to medial in the proximal row and then the distal row:
Sam Likes To Push The Toy Car Hard
She Looks Too Pretty Try To Catc...
Article
Cartilage calcification (mnemonic)
An easy to remember mnemonic for the causes of articular cartilage calcification is:
HOGWASH
Mnemonic
H: hyperparathyroidism
O: ochronosis
G: gout
W: Wilson’s disease
A: arthritis
S: pseudogout
H: haemochromatosis
Article
Causes of acute confusion in the elderly (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to help recall some of the causes of acute confusion in the elderly include:
How Come 'Dis DoDo Is Excited
Mnemonic
H: hypoxia
C: constipation
D: drug effects
D: diabetes
D: dehydration
I: infection
E: electrolyte imbalance
Article
Causes of breast oedema (mnemonic)
The causes of breast oedema can be remembered using the mnemonic:
VIRALS
Mnemonic
V: venous obstruction
I: inflammatory breast cancer
R: radiotherapy
A: abscess
L: lymphatic obstruction
S: surgery (recent)
Article
Causes of pancreatitis (mnemonic)
A catchy and early learnt mnemonic for recalling some of the causes of pancreatitis is:
I GET SMASHED
Mnemonic
I: idiopathic
G: gallstones
E: ethanol (alcohol)
T: trauma
S: steroids
M: mumps (and other infections) / malignancy
A: autoimmune
S: scorpion stings/spider bites
H: hyperlip...
Article
Causes of pulseless electrical activity (mnemonic)
Pulseless electrical activity is a very disconcerting medical scenario with a very high mortality unless its aetiology 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 pulmonary em...
Article
Causes of sacroiliitis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for remembering the symmetric vs. asymmetric causes of sacroiliitis is:
PAIR
Mnemonic
P: psoriatic arthritis
A: ankylosing spondylitis
I: inflammatory bowel related
R: reactive (e.g. Reiter syndrome)
The outside letters P & R (letters are far apart) are the asymmetric cause...
Article
Cavernous sinus contents (mnemonic)
The structures inside and beside the cavernous sinus and their relative position can be recalled with the following mnemonic:
O TOM CAT
Consider a coronal view of the cavernous sinus.
'O TOM' are the first letters of components of lateral wall of cavernous sinus considered vertically, from th...
Article
Cerebellopontine angle mass (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for the common cerebellopontine angle masses include:
AMEN
A: acoustic schwannoma (~80%)
M: meningioma (~10%)
E: ependymoma (~5%)
N: neuroepithelial cyst (arachnoid/epidermoid) (~5%)
SAME
S: schwannoma
acoustic schwannoma much more common than a trigeminal schwannoma
A: ...
Article
Cerebral ring enhancing lesions (mnemonic)
Convenient mnemonics for the causes of cerebral ring enhancing lesions are:
MAGIC DR or DR MAGIC
DR MAGIC L
MAGICAL DR
Mnemonics
MAGIC DR or DR MAGIC
M: metastasis
A: abscess
G: glioblastoma
I: infarct (subacute phase)
C: contusion
D: demyelinating disease
R: radiation necrosis or re...
Article
Cervical incompetence morphological changes of the internal os (mnemonic)
Sequential morphological ultrasound changes of the endocervical canal with cervical incompetence can be remembered using the mnemonic:
Trust Your Vaginal Ultrasound
Mnemonic
T-shaped (normal internal cervical os)
Y-shaped
V-shaped
U-shaped
Related article
cervical incompetence
funnelin...
Article
Charcot joint causes (mnemonic)
The causes of a Charcot joint can be remembered, with a little poetic license, as they (all) start with the letter S.
Mnemonic
sugar (diabetes)
syphilis
steroid use
syringomyelia
spinal cord injury
spina bifida
scleroderma
(leprosy)
The features of Charcot arthropathy can be remembered...
Article
Chest Xray pre-interpretation (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for chest Xray pre-interpretation include:
POPIRAM
Mnemonic
P: projection, PA or AP ?, left lateral or right lateral ?
O: orientation, determine left and right of the chest X-ray
P: penetration ( of the Xray ), under-penetration or over-penetration ?
I: inspiration, poor...
Article
Chondrocalcinosis (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for chondrocalcinosis include:
3 Cs
WHIP A DOG
HOGWASH
Mnemonics
3 Cs
C: crystals CPPD, sodium urate (gout)
C: cations calcium (any cause of hypercalcemia), copper, iron
C: cartilage degeneration (e.g. osteoarthritis, acromegaly, ochronosis)
WHIP A DOG
W: Wilson disease
H: ...
Article
Conditions with a lower lobe predominance (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for conditions with a lower lobe predominance in chest radiology include:
CIA
C: collagen vascular disease
I: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
A: asbestosis
BADAS
B: bronchiectasis
A: aspiration pneumonia
D: drugs; desquamative interstitial pneumonia
A: asbestosis
S: scleroderm...
Article
Congenital hypopituitarism (mnemonic)
The features of an infant with congenital hypopituitarism can be recalled with the following mnemonic:
5 P's of cretinism
Mnemonic
P: pot belly
P: pallor
P: puffy face
P: protruding umbilicus
P: poked out tongue
Article
Congenital infections (mnemonic)
The group of the most common congenital infections are referred to by the mnemonic TORCH or STORCH. They usually cause mild maternal morbidity, but are related to serious fetal consequences 4.
Mnemonic
T: toxoplasmosis
O: other (e.g. syphilis, varicella-zoster, parvovirus B19)
R: rubella
C:...
Article
Contents of the cubital fossa (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the contents of the cubital fossa are, from medial to lateral:
My Brother Throws Rad Parties
Mnemonic
My Brother Throws Rad Parties
M: median nerve
B: brachial artery
T: tendon of biceps
R: radial nerve
P: posterior interosseous branch of radial nerve
Article
Corpus callosum hyperintensity (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the causes of corpus callosum hyperintensity is:
I MADE A PHD
Mnemonic
I: infections (e.g. tuberculosis , varicella, rotavirus, HSV)
M: Marchiafava-Bignami syndrome
A: AIDS encephalopathy
D: diffuse axonal injury and diffuse vascular injury
E: epilepsy
A: ...
Article
Corpus callosum parts (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to help remember the parts of the corpus callosum, from anterior to posterior, is:
Remember Genu Before Splenium
Remember G Before S (as G comes before S alphabetically)
1. Rostrum
2. Genu
3. Body (trunk)
4. Splenium
Article
Cortical lesions - bone (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for bony cortical lesions is:
MOFOS
Mnemonic
M: metastasis
O: osteomyelitis
F: fibrosarcoma
O: osteoid osteoma
S: stress fracture
Article
Cortical nephrocalcinosis (mnemonic)
A common mnemonic for cortical nephrocalcinosis is:
COAG
Mnemonic
C: cortical necrosis
O: oxalosis
A: Alport syndrome
G: (chronic) glomerulonephritis
See also
nephrocalcinosis
cortical nephrocalcinosis
medullary nephrocalcinosis
medullary nephrocalcinosis mnemonic
Article
Cranial nerves (mnemonic)
There are many cranial nerve mnemonics that can be memorable and rude. 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 through to CN XII:
On o...
Article
CT assessment of the trauma patient (mnemonic)
CT assessment of the trauma patient is beset with the potential for error on account of the large number of images requiring review, the time pressures often present and the potential presence of numerous concurrent injuries (see CT polytrauma).
Using some standard reporting methodology and rem...
Article
Cystic lesions of the spleen (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for causes of cystic lesions in the spleen is:
TEAM
Mnemonic
T: trauma
E: echinococcal
A: abscess
M: metastasis
Article
Diaphragmatic apertures (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the the thoracic spinal levels at which the three major structures pass through the diaphragm is:
I ate (8) 10 eggs at 12
Mnemonic
I ate (8): inferior vena cava at T8
10 eggs: (o)esophagus at T10
at 12: aorta at T12
Article
Diaphyseal lesions (mnemonic)
A list of diaphyseal lesions can be remembered using the mnemonic:
CEMENT
Mnemonic
C: bone cysts
E: enchondroma/ewing sarcoma
M: bone metastasis
E: eosinophilic granuloma
N: non-ossifying fibroma (NOF)
T: TB/osteomyelitis
Article
Diffuse bony sclerosis (mnemonic)
Diffuse bony sclerosis has many causes. Useful mnemonics for remembering them include:
3 M's PROOF
Regular Sex Makes Occasional Perversions Much More Pleasurable And Fantastic 1
Mnemonics
3 M's PROOF
M: malignancy
metastases (osteoblastic metastases)
lymphoma
leukaemia
M: myelofibrosi...
Article
Eggshell calcification in thorax and mediastinum (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for major causes of eggshell calcification in the thorax and mediastinum is:
A Silly Cool Sergeant Likes His Tubercular Blast
Mnemonic
A: amyloidosis
S: silicosis
C: coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP)
S: sarcoidosis
L: lymphoma: (postirradiation Hodgkin disease)
H: hi...
Article
Ejaculatory pathway of sperm (mnemonic)
A useful mnemonic to remember the ejaculatory pathway of sperm is:
SEVEN UP
Mnemonic
S: seminiferous tubules
E: epididymis
V: vas deferens
E: ejaculatory duct
N: nothing
U: urethra
P: penis
Article
Elbow ossification (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for elbow ossification include CRITOE and CRITOL. These are essentially the same, apart from the terminal letter which represents the External or Lateral epicondyle.
Mnemonics
CRITOE
C: capitellum
R: radial head
I: internal epicondyle
T: trochlea
O: olecranon
E: external epicon...
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, intra...
Article
Endobronchial metastases (mnemonic)
Primary neoplasms which may result in endobronchial metastases may be memorized by utilizing the following mnemonic:
kiss My RBC 1
Mnemonic
Kiss: Kaposi sarcoma
My: melanoma
R: renal cell carcinoma
B: breast cancer
C: colorectal carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, carcinoid
See also
endobro...
Article
Erector spinae muscles (mnemonic)
There are multiple handy mnemonics to recall the Erector spinae muscles. They usually describe the position from lateral to medial.
I Like Standing
I Love Sex
I Long for Spinach
I Like Siri
Mnemonic
I: Iliocostalis
L: Longissimus
S: Spinalis
Article
Erlenmeyer flask deformity (mnemonic)
Some of the causes of an Erlenmeyer flask deformity can be recalled with the following mnemonics:
CHONG
Lead GNOME
Mnemonics
CHONG
C: craniometaphyseal dysplasias
H: haemoglobinopathies
thalassemia
sickle cell disease
O: osteopetrosis
N: Niemann-Pick disease
G: Gaucher disease
Lead G...
Article
External carotid artery branches (mnemonic)
Mnemonics for the external carotid artery branches abound. They include some colourful examples such as:
Some American Ladies Found Our Pyramids Most Satisfactory
Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students
Some Anatomists Like F-ing, Others Prefer S&M
Some Angry Ladies Fight...
Article
External jugular vein tributaries (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember external jugular vein (formed by the retromandibular and posterior auricular vein) tributaries is:
PAST
Mnemonic
P: posterior external jugular vein
A: anterior jugular vein
S: suprascapular vein
T: transverse cervical vein
Article
Extraocular muscle involvement in thyroid associated orbitopathy (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember the order in which extraocular muscles are involved in thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO) is:
I'M SLOW
Mnemonic
I: inferior rectus
M: medial rectus
S: superior rectus
L: lateral rectus
O: obliques
There is some debate about this however. Some claim superior rect...
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
Mnemonics
Paris St. Germain's Hour
P: palatoglossus
S: styloglossus
G: genioglossus
H: hyoglossus
Article
Facial nerve branches (mnemonic)
There are many mnemonics to recall the branches of the facial nerve (superior to inferior) as they exit the anterior border of the parotid gland. Examples include:
Tall Zulus Bear Many Children
Two Zulus Bit My Cat
Two Zebras Bit My Coccyx
Ten Zebras Buggered My Car
To Zanzibar By Motor Car...
Article
Facial nerve segments (mnemonic)
A helpful mnemonic for remembering the segments of the facial nerve is:
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
Mnemonic
I: intracranial (cisternal)/intracanalicular
L:...
Article
Features of a Charcot joint (mnemonic)
The radiographic features of a Charcot joint can be remembered by using the following mnemonic:
6 Ds of Charcot joint
Mnemonic
increased density (subchondral sclerosis)
destruction
debris (intra-articular loose bodies)
dislocation
distention
disorganisation
The causes of Charcot arthrop...
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
Femoral triangle contents (mnemonic)
Mnemonics to recall the order of the femoral vessels and nerve as they emerge from beneath the inguinal ligament into the femoral triangle are:
NAVY
NAVEL
Mnemonic
NAVY
From lateral to medial:
N: femoral nerve
A: femoral artery
V: femoral vein
Y: "Y-fronts" (i.e. the midline)
...
Article
Finger tip lesions (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for finger tip lesions:
GEMS
Mnemonic
G: glomus tumor
E: epidermoid/enchondroma/subungual exostosis
M: metastasis (lung almost exclusively)
S: sarcoidosis
Article
Fluid-fluid level containing bone lesions (mnemonic)
There is a handy mnemonic for fluid-fluid levels of bone lesions on MRI:
GOATS CSF
Mnemonic
G: giant cell tumour
O: osteoblastoma
A: aneurysmal bone cyst
T: telangiectatic osteosarcoma
S: sarcomas
C: chondroblastoma
S: solitary bone cyst
F: fibroxanthoma
Article
Focal pulmonary opacity (mnemonic)
Causes of focal pulmonary opacities on a CXR can be remembered using the rather crude mnemonic:
4 Fs
Mnemonic
F: 'fection (pulmonary infection)
F: 'farction (pulmonary infarction)
F: fluid (pulmonary oedema)
F: f***ed (lung cancer)
Article
Focal sclerotic bony lesions (mnemonic)
A popular mnemonic to help remember causes of focal sclerotic bony lesions is :
HOME LIFE
Mnemonic
H: healed NOF
O: osteoma
M: metastasis
E: Ewing’s sarcoma
L: lymphoma
I: infection or Infarct
F: fibrous dysplasia
E: enchondroma
Article
Foramen ovale contents (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember foramen ovale contents is:
OVALE
Mnemonic
O: otic ganglion (inferior)
V: V3 cranial nerve (mandibular division of trigeminal nerve)
A: accessory meningeal artery
L: lesser petrosal nerve
E: emissary veins
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 mugger)
FROG
GRUesome MURder
It is useful to note that it is the head of the non-fractured bone that is dislocated.
Mnemonics
GRIMUS
GRIMUS helps to remember wh...
Article
Generalised colitis (mnemonic)
A mnemonic to remember causes of generalised colitis is
I3NR
Mnemonic
I3NR
I: infectious colitis e.g. E. coli, CMV
I: inflammatory, e.g. pseudomembranous colitis, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis
I: ischaemic colitis
N: neoplastic, e.g. lymphoma
R: radiation colitis
Article
Germ cell tumours (mnemonic)
A mnemonic for differential diagnosis for germ cell tumours is:
SECTE
Mnemonic
S: seminoma
E: embryonal cell carcinoma
C: choriocarcinoma
T: teratoma
E: endodermal sinus tumour (yolk sac tumour)
Article
Gracile bones (mnemonic)
The causes of gracile bones can be recalled with the following mnemonic:
Mnemonic
NIMROD
N: neurofibromatosis
I: immobilisation/paralysis
M: muscular dystrophy
R: rheumatoid arthritis (juvenile RA)
O: osteogenesis imperfecta
D: dysplasia, e.g. Marfan syndrome, homocysteinuria
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