High-Yield Exam Mnemonics
- Clavicle ACROss to ACROmion.
Recall: The clavicle articulates medially with the manubrium (sternoclavicular joint) and laterally with the acromion (acromioclavicular joint).
- Anatomical neck hugs the Articular surface.
Recall: The anatomical neck is the groove surrounding the margin of the humeral head, separating it from the tubercles.
- Subscapularis is a Smaller muscle attaching to the Smaller (lesser) tubercle.
Recall: Subscapularis attaches to the lesser tubercle of the humerus.
- Supraspinatus Starts abduction.
Recall: Supraspinatus initiates the first 15-30 degrees of abduction.
- Long thoracic for the LONG serratus.
Recall: The long thoracic nerve (C5, C6, C7) supplies serratus anterior.
- Posterior wall = Sub-Lat-Teres (SLT).
Recall: The posterior wall of the axilla is formed by subscapularis, latissimus dorsi, and teres major.
- Lateral cord gives Lateral things + Musculocutaneous.
Recall: The lateral cord gives rise to the lateral pectoral nerve, musculocutaneous nerve, and lateral root of median nerve.
- STAR from Posterior – Subscapular, Thoracodorsal, Axillary, Radial.
Recall: Musculocutaneous nerve arises from the lateral cord, not the posterior cord.
- Radial drops the wrist like Rain drops.
Recall: Radial nerve injury in the spiral groove causes wrist drop due to paralysis of wrist and finger extensors.
- Median for the lateral two, Ulnar for the medial two – MALU.
Recall: The median nerve supplies the lateral two lumbricals (1st and 2nd).
- Part 2 = 2 branches – Thoracoacromial + Lateral thoracic.
Recall: The second part of the axillary artery (behind pectoralis minor) gives off the thoracoacromial artery and lateral thoracic artery.
- Brachial Bifurcates at the Bend (cubital fossa).
Recall: The brachial artery divides into radial and ulnar arteries at the level of the neck of the radius in the cubital fossa.
- Elbow bends like a door Hinge.
Recall: The elbow joint is a hinge (ginglymus) joint allowing flexion and extension.
- Annular = A ring for the Radial head.
Recall: The annular ligament forms a ring around the head of the radius, holding it against the radial notch of the ulna.
- Basilic = B for ‘beside’ the body (medial).
Recall: The basilic vein runs along the medial aspect of the arm.
- Median is the Main nerve for forearm flexors.
Recall: The median nerve supplies most muscles of the anterior forearm (flexors), except flexor carpi ulnaris and medial half of flexor digitorum profundus (ulnar nerve).
- Anterior interosseous Assists the Median.
Recall: The anterior interosseous nerve is a pure motor branch of the median nerve supplying flexor pollicis longus, lateral half of flexor digitorum profundus, and pronator quadratus.
- Guyon’s canal = Ulnar’s Gateway.
Recall: The ulnar artery and nerve pass through Guyon’s canal (ulnar canal) at the wrist, superficial to the flexor retinaculum.
- Anterior is most common – A for the Arm falling forward.
Recall: Anterior (anteroinferior) dislocation is most common due to the weakest part of the capsule being anteroinferiorly.
- Hypothenar is on the Ulnar side, so Ulnar nerve.
Recall: The hypothenar muscles (abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, opponens digiti minimi) are all supplied by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve.
- Femur is the First in length and strength.
Recall: The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body, supporting body weight during standing and walking.
- Medial malleolus = Tibia (thicker bone, medial side).
Recall: The medial malleolus is the distal projection of the tibia forming the medial side of the ankle joint.
- Iliopsoas – ‘I’ flex the hip.
Recall: Iliopsoas (iliacus + psoas major) is the primary hip flexor.
- Popliteus Pops the knee open (unlocks it).
Recall: Popliteus laterally rotates the femur on the fixed tibia (or medially rotates the tibia on the femur), unlocking the extended knee to initiate flexion.
- L4-S3 for Sciatic – the longest nerve for the longest limb.
Recall: The sciatic nerve is formed from L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3 roots.
- Floor = Iliopsoas + Pectineus.
Recall: The floor of the femoral triangle is formed by iliopsoas laterally and pectineus medially.
- Dorsal for sensory Data in, Ventral for motor Ventures out.
Recall: A typical spinal nerve is formed by the union of one dorsal (sensory) root and one ventral (motor) root in the intervertebral foramen.
- RUNX2 Runs the bone-making program.
Recall: Cleidocranial dysplasia results from mutations in RUNX2 (CBFA1), a master regulator of osteoblast differentiation critical for intramembranous ossification of the clavicle and skull.
- SUPRAspinatus = SUPerior roof.
Recall: The supraspinatus tendon passes beneath the coracoacromial arch and blends with the superior joint capsule, forming the roof of the shoulder joint.
- Lats let you do LAT pull-downs (C6-C8).
Recall: Latissimus dorsi is the primary shoulder extensor and adductor used in pulling movements.
- Erb’s = waiter who lost a TIP (upper Trunk, C5-6).
Recall: This describes Erb-Duchenne palsy (upper trunk injury, C5-C6).
- Posterior cord owns ALL elbow extensors.
Recall: All three triceps heads and anconeus are innervated by the radial nerve from the posterior cord.
- Spiral groove = wrist drop with working triceps.
Recall: Preserved triceps function (elbow extension) indicates branches to triceps were spared–these arise before the spiral groove.
- Palmar cutaneous loss = above the wrist.
Recall: Sensory loss over the medial palm indicates involvement of the palmar cutaneous branch, which arises proximal to Guyon’s canal.
- Palmar cutaneous escapes the tunnel.
Recall: The palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve arises proximal to the carpal tunnel and passes superficial to the flexor retinaculum–it is spared in carpal tunnel syndrome.
- 1-2-3: Pec minor divides axillary into 3 parts with 1-2-3 branches.
Recall: The axillary artery is divided into three parts by pectoralis minor: part 1 (medial to muscle, 1 branch), part 2 (posterior to muscle, 2 branches), and part 3 (lateral to muscle, 3 branches).
- Supracondylar = Brachial artery at risk = Volkmann’s.
Recall: The brachial artery crosses the anterior aspect of the elbow in the cubital fossa, immediately anterior to the brachialis muscle and elbow joint.
- PIN pierces the supinator and extends the fingers.
Recall: The posterior interosseous nerve (PIN), a pure motor branch of the radial nerve, passes between the superficial and deep heads of the supinator muscle.
- Basilic goes deep at mid-arm.
Recall: The basilic vein pierces the deep fascia at approximately the midpoint of the arm (near the junction of the middle and lower thirds) to join the venae comitantes of the brachial artery, forming the axillary vein.
- DAB = Dorsal ABduct; first dorsal = index abduction.
Recall: Index finger abduction away from the midline (middle finger) is performed by the first dorsal interosseous muscle (DAB = Dorsal ABduct).
- Guyon’s = ulnar at the wrist = hand muscles only.
Recall: The first web space contains the first dorsal interosseous muscle (ulnar nerve).
- Gluteus MAXimus = MAXimum power for climbing.
Recall: Gluteus maximus is the most powerful hip extensor, essential for rising from sitting and climbing stairs.
- Superficial peroneal = eversion + dorsum sensation.
Recall: The superficial peroneal nerve innervates peroneus longus and brevis (evertors) and provides sensory innervation to the dorsum of the foot except the first web space (deep peroneal territory).
- Common peroneal = commonly injured at the fibular neck.
Recall: The common peroneal nerve is the most commonly injured lower limb nerve.
- L4-5 Lifts the foot, S1-2 Stamps it down.
Recall: The common peroneal nerve (L4, L5, S1, S2) supplies the anterior (deep peroneal branch: tibialis anterior, EDL, EHL) and lateral (superficial peroneal branch: peroneus longus and brevis) compartments.
- SAIL: Superior = inguinal ligament, Adductor longus = medial, sartorius = Lateral.
Recall: The femoral triangle boundaries are: superior–inguinal ligament, medial–medial border of adductor longus, lateral–medial border of sartorius.
- Semi-M is superoMedial.
Recall: The popliteal fossa boundaries are: superomedial–semimembranosus (and semitendinosus), superolateral–biceps femoris, inferomedial–medial head of gastrocnemius, inferolateral–lateral head of gastrocnemius (and plantaris).
- Quad rupture = patella drops down (baja).
Recall: A low-riding patella (patella baja) after loss of active knee extension suggests quadriceps tendon rupture–the patella is pulled distally by the intact patellar ligament but cannot be raised by the ruptured quadriceps.
- Peroneus longus crosses the sole like a sling under the transverse arch.
Recall: The peroneus longus tendon crosses the sole transversely from the lateral side, passing through a groove on the cuboid, and inserts on the medial cuneiform and first metatarsal base.
- First layer = first to tighten in cavus foot.
Recall: The first layer of plantar muscles lies just deep to the plantar aponeurosis.
- Conus ends at L1/L2; cauda equina swims below.
Recall: In adults, the spinal cord (conus medullaris) typically ends at the L1-L2 vertebral level.
- Dorsal = sensory; Ventral = motor.
Recall: The dorsal root ganglion (DRG) contains pseudounipolar cell bodies of primary sensory (afferent) neurons.
- Lumbosacral trunk at the brim = L4-L5 compressed during delivery.
Recall: The lumbosacral trunk (L4-L5) crosses the pelvic brim and can be compressed during labor by the fetal head.
- Hypertrophy = big chondrocytes about to die and be replaced by bone.
Recall: The zone of hypertrophy in the epiphyseal (growth) plate contains enlarged chondrocytes undergoing apoptosis, preparing the matrix for calcification and vascular invasion.
- Fibrocartilage = Fibers visible = tough structures like discs.
Recall: Fibrocartilage contains type I collagen fibers (visible under light microscopy) arranged in parallel bundles, with chondrocytes in rows between them.
- Preaxial = radial/thumb side; postaxial = ulnar/little finger side.
Recall: Radial club hand (radial ray deficiency) results from failure of preaxial (anterior) mesenchyme development.
- Syndactyly = failure of interdigital apoptosis.
Recall: Digits form from the hand/foot plate with interdigital webs.
- Meralgia paresthetica = thigh pain from tight inguinal ligament.
Recall: Meralgia paresthetica is compression of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh as it passes beneath or through the inguinal ligament near the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS).
- Sural = lateral foot = behind lateral malleolus.
Recall: The sural nerve passes behind the lateral malleolus and supplies sensation to the lateral foot, heel, and little toe.
- “HYALuronic = HYdrates And Lubricates”–found in fluid-filled spaces.
Recall: Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan) is the only GAG synthesized at the plasma membrane, not in Golgi.
- “LYSyl oxidase makes cross-LINKS”–L for both.
Recall: Lysyl oxidase converts lysine and hydroxylysine residues to reactive aldehydes (allysine and hydroxyallysine) through oxidative deamination.
- Hungry Bones eat calcium after PTH leaves home.
Recall: “Hungry bone syndrome” occurs after parathyroidectomy for severe hyperparathyroidism.
- Rugger jersey = Rugby stripes of sclerosis and softening.
Recall: “Rugger jersey spine” in CKD-MBD represents mixed uremic osteodystrophy–alternating bands of sclerosis (trabecular remodeling from secondary hyperparathyroidism/osteitis fibrosa) and osteopenia (osteomalacia from calcitriol deficiency).
- K for Koagulation via Karboxylation.
Recall: Vitamin K is essential for γ-carboxylation of glutamate residues in clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X (also proteins C, S, Z).
- “THYmine needs THF”–folate for DNA.
Recall: In folate deficiency, N5,N10-methylene-THF (required by thymidylate synthase to convert dUMP to dTMP) is depleted.
- No Chloride = No bicarbonate Exchange = alkalosis persists.
Recall: In chloride-responsive metabolic alkalosis, chloride depletion prevents pendrin-mediated Cl⁻/HCO₃⁻ exchange in type B intercalated cells.
- NIS Nabs Iodine–allowing I-131 to destroy thyroid.
Recall: I-131 therapy works because thyroid follicular cells express sodium-iodide symporter (NIS), which concentrates iodide 20-40× above plasma levels.
- Osteocytes Feel the Phosphate and FGF23 Flushes it out.
Recall: FGF23 (fibroblast growth factor 23) is secreted by osteocytes (and some osteoblasts) in response to high phosphate and calcitriol.
- PTH Plummets rapidly–2-4 min half-life for intraOP monitoring.
Recall: Intact PTH (1-84) has an extremely short half-life of 2-4 minutes due to rapid hepatic and renal uptake and cleavage.
- PTH has two paths: cAMP for slow, IP3 for fast Ca release.
Recall: PTH1R is a G protein-coupled receptor that activates both Gαs (increasing cAMP) and Gαq (activating phospholipase C).
- Aluminum = ALtered neurofibrillary tangles.
Recall: Aluminum neurotoxicity (dialysis encephalopathy) causes neurofibrillary degeneration similar to, but distinct from, Alzheimer’s disease.
- INH INhibits B6 → neurotransmitter synthesis fails.
Recall: Isoniazid inhibits pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6) formation by forming hydrazones with pyridoxal.
- FGF23 causes Two problems: low Phosphate and low D.
Recall: In XLH, PHEX gene mutation causes elevated FGF23, which (1) reduces phosphate reabsorption (causing hypophosphatemia) and (2) inhibits 1α-hydroxylase while stimulating 24-hydroxylase, causing low calcitriol.
- Penicillamine Pillages copper → lysyl oxidase fails → Lax tissues.
Recall: D-penicillamine chelates copper (and other metals), which can create functional copper deficiency.
- Osteomalacia = too much OSTEOID waiting to be mineralized.
Recall: Osteomalacia shows accumulation of unmineralized osteoid (widened osteoid seams) due to defective mineralization.
- Type I = postmenopausal (women, 50-70); Type II = senile (both sexes, >70).
Recall: Type II (senile) osteoporosis affects both men and women over age 70, involves both cortical and trabecular bone, and commonly presents with vertebral wedge fractures causing kyphosis and height loss.
- Osteoporosis = NORMAL labs; Osteomalacia = ABNORMAL labs (↓Ca, ↓PO4, ↑ALP).
Recall: In osteoporosis, all routine labs (calcium, phosphate, ALP) are typically NORMAL because the bone is qualitatively normal–just reduced in quantity.
- Pseudo = Positive, Pyrophosphate; Gout = Gout-Negative.
Recall: Pseudogout is caused by calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition.
- B27 = Bamboo spine (ankylosing spondylitis).
Recall: Ankylosing spondylitis is a seronegative spondyloarthropathy strongly associated with HLA-B27 (>90% of cases).
- SWAN-neck = Straight PIP (hyperextended) with Nodding DIP (flexed).
Recall: Swan-neck deformity in RA involves hyperextension at PIP with flexion at DIP due to volar plate laxity and intrinsic muscle tightness.
- Simple hurt = bodily PAIN; Grievous hurt = serious PERMANENT damage (Section 320 list).
Recall: Under IPC Section 319, “hurt” means causing bodily pain, disease, or infirmity.
- Incised = APPOSITION possible; Lacerated = APPROXIMATION impossible (tissue loss).
Recall: Incised wounds have clean-cut edges that can be perfectly approximated (rejoined) because there is no tissue loss–only division.
- Hesitation = Multiple PARALLEL superficial cuts at WRIST/NECK = suicide indicator.
Recall: Hesitation cuts (tentative wounds) are multiple, superficial, parallel incised wounds seen near the wrist (flexor surface) or neck in suicidal cases, reflecting initial reluctance before the final deeper cut.
- Right hand cuts Left-to-Right: Deeper on Left, Shallower on Right, with hesitation.
Recall: In suicidal cut-throat (right-handed person), the wound starts deeper on the left side (where the hand begins cutting), becomes shallower as it crosses midline to the right, and shows tailing.
- Distant = ONLY bullet arrives (clean hole + collar of abrasion, nothing else).
Recall: At distant range, only the bullet reaches the target (powder, flame, and gases disperse before reaching).
- Dangerous to life = injury that COULD kill (not that it DID kill).
Recall: An injury is “dangerous to life” (under Section 320 IPC – grievous hurt category 7) if it, by its nature or the structure involved, poses a real risk to life.
- Mechanical = Most common, activity-related, no Neuro deficit.
Recall: Non-specific mechanical low back pain is the most common type (>85% of cases), aggravated by activity/end of day, relieved by rest, with no neurological deficits or radiation.
- FRAX = FRActure risk in neXt 10 years.
Recall: FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) uses clinical risk factors (age, sex, BMI, prior fracture, family history, smoking, alcohol, glucocorticoids, secondary osteoporosis) ± BMD to estimate 10-year probability of major osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture.
- Ergonomic changes = Eliminating risk BEFORE disease = Primary prevention.
Recall: Ergonomic interventions to prevent musculoskeletal disorders before they occur constitute primary prevention (reducing risk factors/exposure).
- Prevalence = P for Present (how many have it NOW); Incidence = I for Initiating (how many NEW cases).
Recall: Point prevalence measures the proportion of people with a disease at a specific point in time (existing cases/total population).
- Nordic = Nine body regions for Musculoskeletal screening.
Recall: The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) is a standardized tool for screening musculoskeletal symptoms in 9 body regions (neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, upper back, lower back, hips, knees, ankles) over the past 12 months and 7 days.
- Age ↑ = BMD ↓ + Falls ↑ = Fractures ↑↑.
Recall: The exponential rise in hip fracture incidence with age is due to progressive BMD decline (1-2% per year after menopause, accelerating without estrogen) combined with increased fall risk (poor balance, muscle weakness, medications).
- Exercise + Education = Evidence-based prevention of back pain.
Recall: Evidence supports exercise programs (core strengthening, flexibility) combined with education on proper body mechanics and lifting techniques as most effective.
- Bisphosphonates: ‘Stand up, Empty stomach, Water only, 30 minutes’ = SEW-30.
Recall: Bisphosphonates (alendronate) must be taken on empty stomach with 200-250 mL plain water, remaining upright for 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation/ulceration (the most common adverse effect).
- Colchicine = Catches microtubules → neutrophils Can’t march to the joint.
Recall: Colchicine binds to tubulin, preventing microtubule polymerization, which inhibits neutrophil migration, chemotaxis, and phagocytosis of urate crystals.
- Leucovorin = Lifeline for MTX toxicity (bypasses the folate block).
Recall: Methotrexate-induced pancytopenia (bone marrow suppression) is treated with folinic acid (leucovorin) rescue, which bypasses the blocked DHFR enzyme and provides active folate to cells.
- Febuxostat = non-purine alternative FEBruary (new, selective); Allopurinol = old, purine-based.
Recall: Febuxostat is a non-purine, selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor (unlike allopurinol which is a purine analogue).
- Celecoxib = Saves the gut (COX-1 spared) but stresses the heart (COX-2 → prothrombotic).
Recall: Celecoxib selectively inhibits COX-2 (inducible, inflammatory) while sparing COX-1 (constitutive, GI-protective).
- Osteomalacia = Mineral deficiency → replace what’s Missing (Vitamin D + Calcium).
Recall: Osteomalacia from vitamin D deficiency is treated by correcting the deficiency with cholecalciferol (D3) or ergocalciferol (D2) plus calcium supplementation.
- Tofacitinib = Targets JAK (oral pill, not injection like biologics).
Recall: Tofacitinib is a targeted synthetic DMARD (tsDMARD) that inhibits JAK1 and JAK3, blocking intracellular signaling from multiple pro-inflammatory cytokine receptors (IL-6, IL-2, IL-15, IFN).