A–Z Index
Medical mnemonics and acronyms from A to Z
Browse all published JACCOL entries alphabetically.
7 true ribs, 3 false ribs, 2 floating ribs
A memory aid for true, false and floating ribs.
Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
A structured approach to assessing an acutely unwell patient.
Arterial blood gas
A blood test used to assess oxygenation, carbon dioxide and acid-base status.
Anterior cruciate ligament
A knee ligament connecting the femur to the tibia and important for knee stability.
Adenosine diphosphate
A nucleotide formed when ATP loses one phosphate group.
Alanine aminotransferase
A liver-associated enzyme measured in liver function testing.
Aspartate aminotransferase
An enzyme found in liver, muscle and other tissues.
Adenosine triphosphate
A high-energy molecule used as a cellular energy currency.
Brachioradialis, Extensors, Supinator, Triceps
A memory aid for common radial nerve motor functions.
Blood pressure
The pressure exerted by circulating blood on arterial walls.
C3, C4 and C5 contribute to the phrenic nerve
A mnemonic for the spinal roots of the phrenic nerve.
Celiac trunk supplies foregut; SMA supplies midgut; IMA supplies hindgut
A simple memory aid for gut blood supply.
Carcinoma in situ
A pre-invasive epithelial malignancy that has not breached the basement membrane.
Central nervous system
The brain and spinal cord.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A chronic respiratory condition characterised by persistent airflow limitation.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Emergency chest compressions and rescue measures used in cardiac arrest.
Oh Once One Takes The Anatomy Final, Very Good Vacations Are Heavenly
A clean mnemonic for the order of the twelve cranial nerves.
Colorectal cancer
Cancer arising from the colon or rectum.
C-reactive protein
An inflammatory marker measured in blood tests.
Ductal carcinoma in situ
A non-invasive malignant proliferation confined to breast ducts.
Deep vein thrombosis
A blood clot in a deep vein, commonly in the leg.
Electrocardiogram
A recording of the heart’s electrical activity over time.
Face, Arms, Speech, Time
A stroke recognition mnemonic.
Full blood count
A common blood test measuring red cells, white cells and platelets.
Fine needle aspiration
A sampling technique using a fine needle to obtain cells or fluid.
Glasgow Coma Scale
A clinical scale used to assess level of consciousness.
Glomerular filtration rate
A measure of kidney filtration function.
Gluteus maximus extends; gluteus medius/minimus abduct and stabilise the pelvis
A simple memory aid for gluteal muscle actions.
True hamstrings cross both the hip and knee and are mainly supplied by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve
A memory rule for identifying true hamstring muscles.
Glycated haemoglobin
A blood marker reflecting average blood glucose over roughly the previous two to three months.
Hepatocellular carcinoma
A primary malignant tumour of hepatocytes.
Heart rate
The number of heart beats per minute.
Immunohistochemistry
A laboratory technique using antibodies to detect antigens in tissue sections.
Jaundice, Anaemia, Clubbing, Cyanosis, Oedema, Lymphadenopathy
A clinical examination mnemonic for key systemic signs.
Jugular venous pressure
A clinical sign used to estimate right atrial pressure.
Lactate dehydrogenase
An enzyme involved in the conversion between lactate and pyruvate.
Lateral two lumbricals, Opponens pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis
A mnemonic for median nerve-supplied intrinsic hand muscles.
Lateral rectus CN VI, superior oblique CN IV, all others CN III
A mnemonic for extraocular muscle innervation.
Medial collateral ligament
A ligament on the medial side of the knee that resists valgus stress.
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial injury caused by ischaemia, commonly known as a heart attack.
Magnetic resonance imaging
An imaging technique using magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed internal images.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
An electron carrier involved in redox reactions and metabolism.
Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, Lymphatics
A mnemonic for femoral triangle contents from lateral to medial.
Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Time
A pain assessment mnemonic.
Palmar ADduct, Dorsal ABduct
A mnemonic for palmar and dorsal interossei actions.
Posterior cruciate ligament
A knee ligament that helps prevent posterior displacement of the tibia.
Pulmonary embolism
A blockage of the pulmonary arteries, usually by thrombus.
Peripheral nervous system
The nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.
Duct, Artery, Vein, Epiploic foramen posteriorly
A mnemonic for the arrangement in the hepatoduodenal ligament.
Right Anterior, Left Superior
A mnemonic for pulmonary artery position at the lung hilum.
Rectus abdominis, Inferior epigastric vessels, Poupart's ligament
A mnemonic for the borders of Hesselbach's triangle.
Respiratory rate
The number of breaths per minute.
Systolic blood pressure
The arterial pressure during ventricular contraction.
Sleep, Interest, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor changes, Suicidal ideation
A mnemonic for depressive symptoms.
Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis
A mnemonic for the rotator cuff muscles.
Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
A structured clinical documentation mnemonic.
Sensory, Sensory, Motor, Motor, Both, Motor, Both, Sensory, Both, Both, Motor, Motor
A mnemonic for sensory, motor or both functions of cranial nerves.
Peripheral oxygen saturation
An estimate of haemoglobin oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry.
Temporomandibular joint
The joint between the temporal bone and mandible.
Tibialis posterior, flexor Digitorum longus, posterior tibial Artery and Veins, tibial Nerve, flexor Hallucis longus
A mnemonic for tarsal tunnel contents from anterior to posterior.
Vein, Artery, Nerve
A mnemonic for the intercostal neurovascular bundle order.