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All mnemonics

Browse medical mnemonics for anatomy, physiology, clinical examination, emergency care and revision.

7-3-2 ribs Mnemonic

7 true ribs, 3 false ribs, 2 floating ribs

A memory aid for true, false and floating ribs.

Thorax
ABCDE Mnemonic

Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure

A structured approach to assessing an acutely unwell patient.

EmergencyClinical Exam
BEST Mnemonic

Brachioradialis, Extensors, Supinator, Triceps

A memory aid for common radial nerve motor functions.

Upper Limb
C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive Mnemonic

C3, C4 and C5 contribute to the phrenic nerve

A mnemonic for the spinal roots of the phrenic nerve.

Thorax
Celiac, SMA, IMA Mnemonic

Celiac trunk supplies foregut; SMA supplies midgut; IMA supplies hindgut

A simple memory aid for gut blood supply.

Abdomen
Cranial nerves clean mnemonic Mnemonic

Oh Once One Takes The Anatomy Final, Very Good Vacations Are Heavenly

A clean mnemonic for the order of the twelve cranial nerves.

Head and Neck
FAST Mnemonic

Face, Arms, Speech, Time

A stroke recognition mnemonic.

Emergency
GMax Extends, GMed Abducts Mnemonic

Gluteus maximus extends; gluteus medius/minimus abduct and stabilise the pelvis

A simple memory aid for gluteal muscle actions.

Lower Limb
Hamstrings cross hip and knee Mnemonic

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.

Lower Limb
JACCOL Mnemonic

Jaundice, Anaemia, Clubbing, Cyanosis, Oedema, Lymphadenopathy

A clinical examination mnemonic for key systemic signs.

Clinical ExamPathology
LOAF Mnemonic

Lateral two lumbricals, Opponens pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis

A mnemonic for median nerve-supplied intrinsic hand muscles.

Upper Limb
LR6 SO4 AO3 Mnemonic

Lateral rectus CN VI, superior oblique CN IV, all others CN III

A mnemonic for extraocular muscle innervation.

Head and Neck
NAVEL Mnemonic

Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, Lymphatics

A mnemonic for femoral triangle contents from lateral to medial.

Lower Limb
OPQRST Mnemonic

Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Time

A pain assessment mnemonic.

Clinical ExamEmergency
PAD and DAB Mnemonic

Palmar ADduct, Dorsal ABduct

A mnemonic for palmar and dorsal interossei actions.

Upper Limb
Portal triad: DAVE Mnemonic

Duct, Artery, Vein, Epiploic foramen posteriorly

A mnemonic for the arrangement in the hepatoduodenal ligament.

Abdomen
RALS Mnemonic

Right Anterior, Left Superior

A mnemonic for pulmonary artery position at the lung hilum.

Thorax
RIP Mnemonic

Rectus abdominis, Inferior epigastric vessels, Poupart's ligament

A mnemonic for the borders of Hesselbach's triangle.

Abdomen
SIGECAPS Mnemonic

Sleep, Interest, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor changes, Suicidal ideation

A mnemonic for depressive symptoms.

PsychiatryClinical Exam
SITS Mnemonic

Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis

A mnemonic for the rotator cuff muscles.

Upper Limb
SOAP Mnemonic

Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan

A structured clinical documentation mnemonic.

Clinical Exam
Some Say Marry Money Mnemonic

Sensory, Sensory, Motor, Motor, Both, Motor, Both, Sensory, Both, Both, Motor, Motor

A mnemonic for sensory, motor or both functions of cranial nerves.

Head and Neck
Tom, Dick and Very Nervous Harry Mnemonic

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.

Lower Limb
VAN Mnemonic

Vein, Artery, Nerve

A mnemonic for the intercostal neurovascular bundle order.

Thorax