Introduction:
As medical students, we often encounter a vast amount of information that can be challenging to remember. Fortunately, mnemonics provide a helpful tool for retaining complex details in a memorable way. In this blog post, we will explore several mnemonics designed specifically for medical students, covering various topics from cranial nerves to facial bones. Let's dive in and discover these effective memory aids!
Mnemonic: Cavernous Sinus Contents
To remember the contents of the cavernous sinus, use the phrase "Our Teacher Overlooked My Correct Answers":
- Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)
- Trochlear Nerve (CN IV)
- Ophthalmic Nerve (V1)
- Maxillary Nerve (V2)
- Carotid artery
- Abducent Nerve (CN VI)
Mnemonic: Bones of the Skull
Remembering the bones of the skull is made easier with the phrase "@ Person Tired Of Studying Fails Everytime":
- Parietal (2) and Temporal (2) are paired bones.
- O- Occipital is an unpaired bone.
- S- Sphenoid is an unpaired bone.
- F- Frontal is an unpaired bone.
- E- Ethmoid is an unpaired bone.
Mnemonic: Facial Bones
To recall the facial bones, use the mnemonic "@ My Zebra Never Liked Inferior People":
- M- Maxilla (2)
- Z- Zygomatic (2)
- N- Nasal (2)
- L- Lacrimal (2)
- I- Inferior Nasal Concha (2)
- P- Palatine (2)
Additionally, the Mandible and Vomer are unpaired bones, bringing the total to 14 facial bones.
Mnemonic: Layers of the Scalp
Remember the layers of the scalp with the mnemonic "SCALP":
- S- Skin
- C- Connective Tissue (Superficial Fascia)
- A- Aponeurosis (Deep fascia)
- L- Loose areolar tissue
- P- Pericranium
Mnemonic: Bell's Palsy Symptoms
For recalling Bell's Palsy symptoms, use the mnemonic "BELL'S Palsy":
- B- Blink Reflex abnormal
- E- Ear ache
- L- Lacrimation is deficient
- L- Loss of taste in anterior two-thirds of tongue
- S- Sudden onset
- Palsy - of muscles of facial expression (unilateral)
Mnemonic: Cranial Nerves
Use the mnemonic "@ Oh Oh Oh..!" to remember the cranial nerves:
- O- Olfactor
- O- Optic
- O- Oculomotor
- T- Trochlear
- T- Trigeminal
- A- Abducens
- F- Facial
- V- Vestibulocochlear
- G- Glossopharyngeal
- V- Vagus
- A- Accessory (Spinal Accessory)
- H- Hypoglossal
Mnemonic: Extrapyramidal Descending Tracts of the Spinal Cord
Remember the tracts with the mnemonic "Raman Makes Love On TV":
- R- Rubrospinal Tract
- M- Medial reticulospinal tract
- L- Lateral reticulospinal tract
- O- Olivospinal tract
- T- Tectospinal Tract
- V- Vestibulospinal tract
Mnemonic: Nuclei of Third and Fourth Cranial Nerve
Recall the nuclei locations with the mnemonic "3 superior goods = 4 inferior goods":
Nucleus of the third cranial nerve (Oculomotor) lies at the level of the superior colliculus. And,
Nucleus of the fourth cranial nerve (Trochlear) lies at the level of the inferior colliculus.
Mnemonic: Total Paralysis of Third Cranial Nerve (Oculomotor) Results
Use the mnemonic "My PEDAL" to remember the symptoms:
- My- Mydriasis
- P- Ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)
- E- Exophthalmosis
- D- Diplopia (Double vision)
- A- Accommodation is lost
- L- Lateral Squint