Searchable, filterable mnemonics for MBBS — built once, use infinitely
86 of 86 mnemonics
SALP
Brachial Plexus: Roots (S)calene gap, (A)nterior division, (L)ateral cord, (P)osterior cord
CRASH
Thyroid cartilage (C)ricoid, (R)ima glottidis, (A)ryepiglottic fold, (S)inus pyriformis, (H)ypopharynx
My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles
Cranial nerves: (M)nemonic: I Olfactory, II Optic, III Oculomotor, IV Trochlear, V Trigeminal, VI Abducens, VII Facial, VIII Vestibulocochlear, IX Glossopharyngeal, X Vagus, XI Accessory, XII Hypoglossal
Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle
Carpal bones: (S)caphoid, (L)unate, (T)riquetrum, (P)isiform, (T)rapezium, (T)rapezoid, (C)apitate, (H)amate
ABCDE
Anterior (A) = (B)rachial artery, (C)ephalic vein, (D)eltopectoral groove, (E)lbow flexion
S2,3,4 Keeps the Poop off the Floor
Pelvic splanchnic nerves S2-S4 control bowel & bladder evacuation
I Am Smart And I Know It
Internal carotid branches: (I)nferior hypophyseal, (A)nterior cerebral, (S)uperior hypophyseal, (A)nterior choroidal, (I)nternal carotid bifurcation, (K)nown as ICA terminus - (I)nsular arteries
SCALP
Layers of scalp: (S)kin, (C)onnective tissue, (A)poneurosis (epicranial), (L)oose areolar tissue, (P)ericranium
PADS
Posterior interventricular artery = (P)DA, (A)rtery to (D)own (S)upplies the inferior wall
DUMBBELLS
Signs of parasympathetic excess: (D)efecation, (U)rination, (M)iosis, (B)ronchospasm, (B)radycardia, (E)mesis, (L)acrimation, (L)evator palpebrae weakness, (S)alivation
SLUDGE
Cholinergic excess: (S)alivation, (L)acrimation, (U)rination, (D)efecation, (G)I upset, (E)mesis
ABC
Aminoglycosides: (A)erobic gram-negative coverage, (B)actericidal, (C)oncentration-dependent killing
B Lactams Are Good
Beta-lactam antibiotics: (B)actericidal, (L)actam ring, (A)ct on cell wall, (G)ram positive coverage, (A)llergies common, (D)iverse group
SAD CHALET
Side effects of tricyclic antidepressants: (S)edation, (A)nticholinergic, (D)ry mouth, (C)onstipation, (H)ypotension (orthostatic), (A)rrhythmia, (L)owers seizure threshold, (E)jaculation dysfunction, (T)remor
SPACE
Statins: (S)ide effects: (P)regnancy contraindicated, (A)ltered LFTs, (C)linically significant drug interactions (CYP3A4), (E)levated CK / myopathy
P450
CYP450 inducers: (P)henytoin, (4) - (C)arbamazepine, (R)ifampin, (E)thanol (chronic), (G)riseofulvin, (S)ulfonylureas (some), (B)arbiturates
CP RAM
CYP450 inducers: (C)arbamazepine, (P)henytoin, (R)ifampin, (A)lcohol (chronic), (M)odafinil
KID
CYP450 inhibitors: (K)etoconazole, (I)soniazid, (D)isulfiram / (D)iltiazem / (D)elavirdine
ANNA
Atypical antipsychotics: (A)typical, (N)o/lower EPS, (N)ot prolactin-elevating (most), (A)lso block 5HT2A
FAT RN
Beta-blocker side effects: (F)atigue, (A)sthma (bronchospasm), (T)riglyceride elevation, (R)ebound hypertension, (N)ightmares (lipophilic)
AGENTS
Antihypertensive classes: (A)CE inhibitors, (G)oing with ARBs, (E)veryone uses CCBs, (N)ot forgetting diuretics, (T)arget: beta-blockers, (S)ometimes alpha-blockers
Can I Keep Selling Sex For Money, Officer?
Branches of Facial Nerve in order: (C)ervical, (I)nfraorbital (Zygomatic), (K)issing (Buccal), (S)ex (Marginal mandibular), (F)or (C)ervical, (M)oney (Posterior auricular), (O)ccipital
LDA
Ligaments of Knee: (L)CL - Lateral collateral ligament resists varus stress; (D)eep MCL - Medial collateral ligament resists valgus stress; (A)CL/PCL - Cruciate ligaments
TAG
Triangles of Neck: (T)emporal (carotid triangle), (A)nterior (digastric, muscular), (G)o to posterior (occipital, subclavian)
12 Cranials: On Old Olympus's Towering Tops, A Finn And German Viewed Some Hops
Cranial nerves: Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Vestibulocochlear, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Spinal Accessory, Hypoglossal
RULE OF 4s
Brainstem rules: 4 cranial nerves in medulla (9,10,11,12), 4 in pons (5,6,7,8), 4 in midbrain (3,4), 4 columns
SAMPLE
History taking in emergency: (S)ymptoms, (A)llergies, (M)edications, (P)ast history, (L)ast meal, (E)vents leading to presentation
OPQRST
Pain assessment: (O)nset, (P)rovocation/Palliation, (Q)uality, (R)egion/Radiation, (S)everity, (T)iming
CHANGE
Causes of Clubbing: (C)ongenital cyanotic heart disease, (H)epatic cirrhosis, (A)bscess (lung), (N)eoplasm (bronchogenic carcinoma), (G)I (IBD, malabsorption), (E)ndocarditis (infective)
MIDNIT
Causes of AKI: (M)ainly prerenal (dehydration, sepsis), (I)ntrinsic (ATN, AIN, GN), (D)rugs (NSAIDs, contrast, aminoglycosides), (N)ephrotoxins, (I)nfections, (T)ubular obstruction
I PEACE
Heart failure management: (I)notropes, (P)eripheral vasodilators, (E)lectrolytes, (A)CE inhibitors, (C)ontractility, (E)liminate fluid (diuretics)
POUND
Migraine diagnostic criteria: (P)ulsating quality, (O)ne-sided (unilateral), (U)nnatural (severe), (N)ausea/vomiting, (D)isabling (duration 4-72 hrs)
CAP
Community Acquired Pneumonia pathogens: (C)hlamydia pneumoniae, (A)spiration (anaerobes), (P)neumococcus (most common)
HAP
Hospital Acquired Pneumonia: (H)ospital pathogens - Pseudomonas, MRSA, (A)cinetobacter, (P)roteus, E. coli, Klebsiella
SEPSIS
Causes of sepsis: (S)taph aureus, (E). coli, (P)seudomonas, (S)treptococcus, (I)ntra-abdominal, (S)almonella
PEA
Types of Influenza: (P)andemic (new strain), (E)pidemic (seasonal), (A)vian (bird flu)
HARM
Complications of Rheumatic Fever: (H)eart (carditis, valvular lesions), (A)rthritis (migratory polyarthritis), (R)heumatic nodules, (M)ovement disorders (Sydenham chorea)
SISTER
Stages of Anesthesia: (S)tage 1 (analgesia), (I)nduction, (S)tage 2 (excitement), (T)he, (E)nd of excitement, (R)elaxation (Stage 3 - surgical anesthesia)
Primary survey in trauma: (A)irway with C-spine, (B)reathing, (C)irculation, (D)isability (neuro), (E)xposure/Environment
BATMAN
Burns depth: (B)urns - (A) 1st degree (epidermis), (T)hick - 2nd degree partial (T)hickness (dermis), (M)uscle - 3rd degree full (M)uscle, (A)ll layers - 4th degree (A)ll layers, (N)erve damage in deep burns
I GET SMASHED
Causes of Pancreatitis: (I)diopathic, (G)allstones, (E)thanol, (T)rauma, (S)teroids, (M)umps, (A)utoimmune, (S)corpion sting, (H)yperlipidemia/Hypercalcemia, (E)ndoscopy, (D)rugs
WINTER
Difficult intubation: (W)eight (obesity), (I)nterincisor gap <3 fingers, (N)eck short/thick, (T)hyromental distance <6cm, (E)ntrapment (Mallampati 3-4), (R)estricted neck extension
SNAPP
Types of placenta previa: (S)light (low-lying), (N)ot covering os (marginal), (A)ll covering os (complete), (P)artial, (P)revious C-section risk
FORCEPS
Indications for forceps delivery: (F)etal distress, (O)utlet obstruction, (R)eason (maternal exhaustion), (C)ord prolapse, (E)xtended second stage, (P)re-eclampsia, (S)horten second stage
TACOS
Thyroid function tests interpretation: (T)SH high = (A)utoimmune (Hashimoto's) / primary (C)retinism? No, TSH high = (O)vert hypothyroidism, (S)TSH low = Hyperthyroidism
MINT
Causes of Erythema Nodosum: (M)edications (sulfonamides, OCPs), (I)nfections (Strep, TB, Yersinia, Coccidioidomycosis), (N)on-infectious (Sarcoidosis, IBD, Behcet's), (T)umors (lymphoma, leukemia)
DICT
Diabetic foot ulcer assessment: (D)epth, (I)nfection, (C)olor, (T)emperature / (T)ime (duration)
TAN
Ryle's tube positions: (T)ip in stomach (40-45cm), (A)spiration (gastric), (N)ext - duodenum (55-65cm), (A)spiration (biliary), (N)ext - jejunum (75cm+)
SWELLS
Causes of lymphadenopathy: (S)eptic (infection), (W)idespread (malignancy, TB), (E)ndocrine (thyroid), (L)ocalized (regional infection), (L)ymphoma, (S)ystemic (SLE, sarcoidosis)
CREST
Limited Scleroderma (CREST): (C)alcinosis, (R)aynaud's, (E)sophageal dysmotility, (S)clerodactyly, (T)elangiectasias
MOP
Inhalational agents: (M)ethoxyflurane (most potent), (O)ther agents (halothane, enflurane), (P)otency: desflurane (least potent) / (P)urple (sevoflurane - intermediate)
STONE
Acute abdomen: (S)udden onset, (T)enderness, (O)bstruction (air-fluid levels), (N)ausea/vomiting, (E)visceration/rigidity
DIMS
Delirium vs Dementia: (D)elirium = (I)nsidious? No, Delirium = (I)nstant/acute onset, (D)ementia = (M)onthly/yearly onset, (S)lowly progressive
SPA
Spinal cord pathways: (S)pinothalamic = (P)ain & temperature, (S)pinothalamic = (A)nterolateral system
DCML
Dorsal Column = (M)edial (L)emniscal pathway: (D)orsal column carries (M)edial (L)emniscal - touch, vibration, proprioception
MUSTACHE
Cushing's syndrome features: (M)oon face, (U)pper body obesity, (S)triae (purple), (T)runk obesity, (A)cne, (C)entral obesity, (H)ypotension? No - (H)ypertension, (E)asy bruising
HEAD
Causes of metabolic acidosis w/ increased AG: (H)ydrogen (uremia), (E)thylene glycol, (A)spirin, (D)KA, (L)actic acidosis, (M)ethanol, (P)araldehyde (the mnemonic is MUDPILES)
MUDPILES
High anion gap metabolic acidosis: (M)ethanol, (U)remia, (D)KA, (P)araldehyde, (I)soniazid/iron, (L)actic acidosis, (E)thylene glycol, (S)alicylates
HARD
Normal pressure hydrocephalus: (H)akim triad: (H) - (A)taxia (gait), (R)eversible dementia, (D)one - Urinary incontinence
RICE
Acute injury management: (R)est, (I)ce, (C)ompression, (E)levation
TBS
Tuberculosis treatment: (T)hree drugs: (T)wo months of (R)ifampin + (I)soniazid + (P)yrazinamide, then (B)ack to (R)ifampin + (I)soniazid for (S)even months
RIPE
TB drugs: (R)ifampin, (I)soniazid, (P)yrazinamide, (E)thambutol — the first-line regimen
SHE
HELLP syndrome: (S)HE - (H)emolysis, (E)levated Liver enzymes, (L)ow (L)ate (P)latelets
APGAR scoring: (A)ppearance (color), (B)eats (heart rate), (C)rying (respiratory effort), (G)rimace (reflex irritability), (A)ction (muscle tone)
TOLERATE
Pain management WHO ladder: (T)hree steps: (O)pt (1) - Non-opioids (acetaminophen, NSAIDs), (L)ater (2) - Weak opioids (codeine, tramadol), (E)scalate (3) - Strong opioids (morphine, fentanyl), (R)adiation (adjuvant therapy), (A)djuvant (amitriptyline, gabapentin), (T)erminal care, (E)very step reassess
PAMS
Parkinson's disease treatment: (P)harmacological: (L)-DOPA (most effective), (A)nticholinergics (for tremor), (M)AO-B inhibitors (selegiline), (S)urgery (DBS for advanced)
FINE
Fracture healing stages: (F)racture hematoma, (I)nflammatory phase, (N)ew bone formation (soft callus → hard callus), (E)nd result (remodeling)
COWS
Cold = Opposite, Warm = Same: Vestibular function test: (C)old water = nystagmus (O)pposite direction, (W)arm water = nystagmus (S)ame direction
MRS GREEN
Gram positive cocci: (M)icrococcus, (R)hodococcus, (S)taphylococcus, (G)emella, (R)othia, (E)nterococcus, (E)rysipelothrix, (N)ocardia
NEVER
Gram negative cocci: (N)eisseria (meningitidis & gonorrhoeae), (E)lse where: (V)ibrionaceae, (E)ikenella, (R)arely - (M)oraxella catarrhalis
GPC
Gram positive cocci: (G)roups: (P)ositive (C)occi - Staph (catalase+), Strep (catalase-), Enterococcus
PEARL
Endocarditis criteria (Duke): (P)athology (positive culture from valve), (E)chocardiography (vegetation), (A)rterial (positive blood culture), (R)isk factors (IVDU, prosthetic valve), (L)aboratory (fever, Roth spots, Osler nodes, Janeway lesions)
CHIEF
Cirrhosis complications: (C)hronic liver failure, (H)epatic encephalopathy, (I)ntractable ascites, (E)sophageal varices, (F)ailure (hepatorenal syndrome, HCC)
MAID
Causes of ascites: (M)alignancy, (A)lcohol/liver disease, (I)nfectious (TB), (D)iseases (heart failure, nephrotic, pancreatitis)
TRASH
Acute scrotum causes: (T)orsion of testis, (R)uptured (trauma), (A)bscess (epididymo-orchitis), (S)traight (strangulated hernia), (H)ydrocele
VITAMINS
Causes of osteoporosis: (V)itamin D deficiency, (I)nactivity, (T)estosterone low, (A)lcohol, (M)enopause (estrogen loss), (I)mmobilization, (N)utrition (low calcium), (S)teroids (glucocorticoids)
BEDS
Diabetic neuropathy types: (B)urning feet (sensory), (E)rectile dysfunction (autonomic), (D)rop foot (motor — mononeuritis), (S)ilent MI (autonomic cardiac)
MOVE
Management of DKA: (M)onitor vitals + ECG, (O)xygen, (V)olume resuscitation (NS 1L in 30 min), (E)lectrolytes (K+ replacement) + Insulin infusion
PINK
Skin layers: (P)apillary dermis, (I)ntermediate (reticular dermis), (N)on-keratinized (stratum corneum), (K)eratinized layers of epidermis
SALT
Psoriasis clinical types: (S)calp psoriasis, (A)rthritis (nail changes, DIP joints), (L)esions (plaque, guttate, pustular), (T)reatment (topical steroids, phototherapy, methotrexate)
ORDER
X-ray interpretation: (O)verview (patient ID, orientation), (R)adiopacity (bone, soft tissue, air), (D)ensity (cortical, trabecular, lesion), (E)dges (well-defined vs ill-defined), (R)eview (systematic check)
CT SCAN
CT interpretation: (C)onsistency (density compared to water), (T)issue planes, (S)ize/Shape, (C)ontrast enhancement, (A)natomical location, (N)umber of lesions
SUGAR
Diabetic foot: (S)ensation (monofilament test), (U)lcer (Wagner grade), (G)angrene (dry/wet), (A)rterial Dopplers (ABI), (R)adiology (X-ray for osteomyelitis)
FAST
Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma: (F)ree fluid: (A)bdomen (RUQ, LUQ, pelvis), (S)ubxiphoid (cardiac), (T)horax (pleural effusion)
POSTERIOR
Posterior shoulder dislocation risk factors: (P)osterior - (O)steoarthritis? No - (S)eizure, (T)rauma (direct blow), (E)lectric shock, (R)are (2-4% of shoulder dislocations), (I)impacted (reverse Hill-Sachs), (O)nly (O)ne - internal rotation, (R)estricted external rotation
DO NOT USE
Contraindications to thrombolysis: (D)issecting aortic aneurysm, (O)ral anticoagulation, (N)ot - (N)eurosurgery (recent), (O)ne - (O)ther: (T)rauma (major/recent), (U)lcer (active peptic), (S)troke (hemorrhagic), (E)ye surgery (recent)