Cross-Subject Link Map
Visual knowledge graph showing how subjects connect. “This CVS pharmacology question requires knowing this cardiology pathology.”
All Links
Brachial plexus → Nerve injuries
Brachial plexus anatomy is essential for understanding surgical approaches to nerve repair.
Cardiac cycle → Heart failure
Understanding pressure-volume loops explains why heart failure causes edema.
ACE inhibitors → Hypertension
ACE inhibitor MOA explains their use in HTN, HF, and diabetic nephropathy.
Atherosclerosis → Myocardial infarction
Plaque rupture → thrombosis → MI. Understanding the pathology is essential.
Lipid metabolism → Statins
HMG-CoA reductase is the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis — target of statins.
Gram-positive cocci → Antibiotics
Cell wall structure determines antibiotic susceptibility (penicillins work on gram-positive).
Renal physiology → Diuretics
Loop of Henle countercurrent mechanism → loop diuretics (furosemide) work in thick ascending limb.
Inflammation → Rheumatoid arthritis
Synovial inflammation driven by TNF-α, IL-1 → joint destruction. Explains anti-TNF therapy.
Coronary arteries → ECG localization of MI
LAD → anterior wall MI (V1-V4). RCA → inferior wall (II, III, aVF). LCX → lateral wall (I, aVL, V5-V6).
Action potential → Antiarrhythmics (Vaughan Williams)
Na+ channel blockers (Class I) affect Phase 0. K+ channel blockers (Class III) affect Phase 3.
Embolism → Pulmonary embolism
DVT → pulmonary embolism. Virchow's triad: stasis, hypercoagulability, endothelial injury.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis → Anti-TB drugs
Mycolic acid cell wall → isoniazid inhibits mycolic acid synthesis. Rifampicin inhibits RNA polymerase.
Purine metabolism → Gout
Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism. Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase.
Circle of Willis → Stroke syndromes
ACA stroke → contralateral leg weakness. MCA stroke → contralateral face/arm weakness + aphasia.
Acid-base balance → DKA
Anion gap = Na - (Cl + HCO3). DKA causes high AG metabolic acidosis from ketone bodies.
Beta-blockers → Heart failure management
Beta-blockers reduce myocardial O2 demand, improve LV remodeling in chronic HF.
Tumor markers → Breast cancer management
ER/PR status guides hormonal therapy. HER2/neu guides trastuzumab.
Hepatitis viruses → Acute hepatitis
HAV: fecal-oral, self-limited. HBV: blood-borne, chronic carrier state. HCV: chronic → cirrhosis.
Lumbar plexus → Spinal/epidural anesthesia
L2-L4 nerve roots → femoral nerve. Spinal anesthesia blocks at lumbar level for lower limb surgeries.
Electron transport chain → Metformin
Metformin inhibits mitochondrial complex I → decreased gluconeogenesis. Explains lactate risk.
Glomerular diseases → Nephrotic syndrome
Minimal change disease (children) → steroids. Membranous GN (adults) → consider secondary causes.
Thyroid hormone synthesis → Anti-thyroid drugs
Propylthiouracil inhibits TPO (blocks iodination). Methimazole also blocks TPO. Iodine inhibits release (Wolff-Chaikoff).
Inguinal canal → Hernia repair
Deep ring → inguinal canal → superficial ring. Direct hernia: Hesselbach's triangle (medial to epigastric vessels).
Staphylococcus aureus → Surgical site infections
Most common cause of SSI. Produces coagulase, TSST-1, enterotoxins. Treat with beta-lactams or vancomycin.
Opioid analgesics → Pain management
Morphine: μ-receptor agonist. Side effects: respiratory depression, constipation, tolerance, dependence.