MNEMONICS

for Sure Success in

PG Medical Entrance Examinations
Second Edition

Presents 600 high quality mnemonics

Enhances quick recall and recollection of
high value facts
Provides cutting-edge technique in
remembering long-winding
statements/particulars/facts
Packs mnemonics that count
 Presents 600 high quality mnemonics
Enhances quick recall and recollection of
high value facts
Provides cutting-edge technique in
remembering long-winding
statements/particulars/facts
Packs mnemonics that count
MNEMONICS
for Sure Success in
PG Medical Entrance Examinations
Second Edition

Arun Kumar MBBS DNB(s)

CBS Publishers & Distributors Pvt Ltd

New Delhi Bengaluru Chennai Kochi Kolkata Mumbai
Hyderabad Nagpur Patna Pune Vijayawada
 Disclaimer
Science and technology are constantly changing
fields. New research and experience broaden
the scope of information and knowledge. The
author has tried his best in giving information
available to him while preparing the material for
this book. Although, all efforts have been made
to ensure optimum accuracy of the material, yet
it is quite possible that some errors might have
been left. The publisher, the printer and the
author will not be held responsible for any
inadvertent errors or inaccuracies.
MNEMONICS
for Sure Success in
PG Medical Entrance Examinations

ISBN: 978-93-85915-33-8
Copyright Author and Publisher
First Edition: 2015
Second Edition: 2016

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
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 To
my elder brother
Ajay Kumar Ajit
who shaped my career and life
 Preface to the Second Edition

???
 Preface to the First Edition

T his book on mnemonics has been writen in view of problems

faced by PG aspirants and MBBS students. All the hard
work comes to naught if a student confuses while giving
examination. Mnemonics has been prepared to eliminate the
confusion one encounters during memorizing the points in a
topic. This book is sure to improve your rank in any PG
entrance examination especially the one based on factual
questions like DNB and state PG entrance examinations. Only
600 mnemonics has been included in this edition to enable
students to complete and revise the book in a short time.
Students are also encouraged to point out the mistakes in
this book for which they will be given the incentive of ` 50/-
recharge done in their mobile number provided they are the
first to point out the mistake and give reference for the same.
One lucky student will also get to avail free discussion and
explanation with the author every week. For this they need to
provide their name, college name, batch of MBBS admission to
authors contact number.
Readers are also advised to give their valuable opinions and
suggestions which will be appreciated and acknowledged.

Arun Kumar
Contact: 9718161947
Email.id: drarunkumarjamui@yahoo.co.in
 Acknowledgements

F irst I want to thank all my teachers in both school and college

who have encouraged and inspired me for hard work.
I also want to thank Dr Nitish, Dr Aporva, Dr Rajdeep and
Dr Puneet who have been very supportive of me to write this
book. I took the inspiration to write the book from my teacher
Dr Arup Kumar Kundu who has been a leading writer in
medical field.
My heartfelt thanks to my fiance who contributed
significantly in writing this book.
I also like to take this opportunity to thanks my parents, sisters,
my brothers, brothers-in-law and all family members who have
always had faith in my abilities.
I would also like to thank CBS Publishers & Distributors,
Mr YN Arjuna (Senior Vice PresidentPublishing, Editorial and Publicity),
Mrs Ritu Chawla (Assistant General ManagerProduction) and
Mr Vikrant Sharma (DTP Operator) to help me realize my dream of
writing the book and publishing the book so beautifully.
I would also like to thank my friend Pawan, Bipulji and Dr
Pradeep for their valuable support.
I would also like to thank my teachers Dr MP Sharma for his
guidance. Finally with all my humbleness and sincerity, I thank
one and all who have helped me directly and indirectly in
completing this book.

Arun Kumar
 Contents

Preface to the Second Edition vii

Preface to the First Edition ix

1. Anatomy 1
2. Biochemistry 17
3. Physiology 26
4. Pharmacology 35
5. Microbiology 72
6. Pathology 81
7. Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (FMT) 93
8. Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) 99
9. Eye 111
10. Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) 117
11. Medicine 122
12. Surgery 152
13. Gynecology and Obstetrics (G and O) 162
14. Pediatrics 170
15. Skin 177
16. Anesthesia 180
17. Radiology 184
18. Psychiatry 186
19. Orthopedics 189
 1
Anatomy

Floor of third ventricle (formed primarily by hypothalamic

structures)
Optic chiasma
Infundibular recess (which extends into pituitary stalk)
Tuber cinereum
Mammillary bodies
Posterior perforated substance
Tegmentum of the midbrain
Mnemonic: Opin Tuma Posteg
Muscles of gluteal region
Gamellus superiorNerve to obturator internus (L5, S 1, S2)
Mnemonic: GSOI 512
Gamellus inferiorNerve to quadratus femoris (L4, L5, SI)
Mnemonic: IQ 451
Foramen magnumStructures passing through its anterior
part
Apical ligament of Dens
Vertical band of cruciate ligament
Membrane tectoria
Mnemonic: AVM
Foramen ovale
Mandibular nerve
Accessory meningeal artery (A for Artery)
Lesser petrosal nerve
Emissary vein (cavernous sinus to pterygoid plexus)
Mnemonic: MALE

1
 2 Mnemonics

Foramen spinosum
Middle meningeal artery and vein (posterior trunk)
Emissary vein
Nervus spinosus (meningeal branch of mandibular nerve)
Mnemonic: MENS
Foramen rotundumMaxillary nerve
Mnemonic: Maxm round
Maxillary nerve passes through fossa, fissure and foramen
Foramen Foramen rotundum
Fissure inferior orbital fissure
Fossa pterygopalatine fossa

Mnemonic: RIP
Internal acoustic meatus
Facial N (VIIIth/7th)
Vestibulocochlear N (VIIIth/8th)
Nervus intermedius or pars intermedia of Wrisburg
Labyrinthine vessels
Mnemonic: 78 Intermediate Lab
Foramen lacerum
Meningeal branch of ascending pharyngeal artery
Emissary vein
Mnemonic: MAPEL
Jugular foramen

Anterior part Middle part Posterior part

Inferior petrosal 9th cranial nerve Internal jugular vein
sinus 10th cranial nerve Sigmoid sinus junction
11th cranial nerve Emissary vein (sigmoid
Meningeal branch sinus to occipital veins)
of ascending Occipital artery
pharyngeal (meningeal branch)
artery

Mnemonic: IPS IS evaluating Our 9, 10, 11 MAP

 Anatomy 3

Anatomical snuff boxwhen thumb is fully extended,

depression seen on lateral aspect of wrist, immediately distal
to radial styloid process
ContentCephelic vein
Superficial radial nerve
Radial artery
Mnemonic: CSR
FloorBase of first metacarpal
Radial styloid
Scaphoid
Trapezium
Mnemonic: BRST
Note: Proximal to distal order is RSTB.
Boundaries:
Lateral wall (anterior wall): Abductor pollicis longus
Extensor pollicis brevis
Medial wall (Posterior wall): Extensor pollicis longus
Mnemonic: EPL is MP
Secretomotor pathway for parotid gland
Pons
Inferior Salivatory nucleus
Glossopharyngeal nerve
Tympanic branch and plexus
Lesser petrosal nerve
Otic ganglion
Auriculo temporal nerve
Parotid gland
Mnemonic: PINS
GLOTY LEPO ATP
Structure passing through superior orbital fissure
Lateral to annulus of Zinn: Lacrimal nerve
Frontal nerve
Trochlear nerve
Superior ophthalmic vein
 4 Mnemonics

Meningeal branch of lacrimal

artery
Mnemonic: LFT
Through annulus of Zinn: Nasociliary nerve
Oculomotor nerve (superior and
inferior division) (3rd CN)
Abducens nerve (6th CN)
Mnemonic: NOA 36
Inferomedial to annulusinferior ophthalmic vein
Anterior and Middle superior alveolar nerves are branches of
Infraorbital (terminal branch of maxillary nerve)
Posterior superior alveolar nerve is direct branch of maxillary
nerve
Mnemonic: IAM
Appendices epiploicae are small sacs of peritoneum filled
with fat (adipose projections) over the whole colon except
caecum
appendix (vermiform)
rectum
Mnemonic: CAR
Note: Taenia coli are absent in distal sigmoid colon and
rectum.

Femoral triangle content

Lateral to medial
Femoral nerve
Femoral artery
Femoral vein
Lymphatic vessels and deep inguinal lymph node of Cloquet
Mnemonic: NAVEL
Boundaries
Laterallymedial border of sartorius
Mediallymedial border of adductor longus
Superiorlyinguinal ligament
Mnemonic: SAIL
Branches of third part of maxillary artery
Infraorbital A
 Anatomy 5

Posterior superior alveolar A

Pharyngeal A
Artery of pterygoid canal A
Greater palatine A
Sphenopalatine A
Mnemonic: Inferoposterior pharyngeal artery of greater
sphenoid
Bipolar neurons are located in the retina, olfactory epithe-
lium, cochlear and vestibular ganglia (all three are sensory
pathway for vision, smell and hearing)

Triangle of auscultation
Scapula
Latissimus dorsi
Trapezius
Mnemonic: Scalattra
Alar plate derivatives become sensory nuclei while basal
plate derivatives become motor nuclei
Mnemonic: Sailor/Ala senses
Branch of first part of subclavian artery
Vertebral artery
Internal thoracic artery
Thyrocervical trunk
Mnemonic: VIT
Branch of thyrocervical trunk
Suprascapular A
Inferior thyroid A
Transverse cervical A
Mnemonic: SIT
Axillary artery
First partSuperior thoracic artery
Second partAcromiothoracic artery
Lateral thoracic artery
Mnemonic: SALT
 6 Mnemonics

Adductor magnus is a composite muscle and is doubly

innervated by the obturator nerve and tibial nerve
Mnemonic: MagOT
Biceps femoris: Long headTibial nerve
Short headcommon peroneal nerve
Mnemonic: Long tibial
Bronchial artery
Lefttwo bronchial arteries arising directly from descending
thoracic aorta
Mnemonic: Directly descending
RightOne bronchial artery arises indirectly from descending
thoracic aorta either from
i. Third posterior intercostal artery
ii. Upper left bronchial artery
Branches of anterior division of internal iliac artery
Superior vesical artery
Obturator artery
Middle rectal artery
Uterine artery (only in females)
Inferior vesical artery (replaced by vaginal in females)
Inferior gluteal artery
Internal pudendal artery
Mnemonic: SOMU and 3IV
Nasal septumosseous part
Vomer
Sphenoid
Nasal bone
Frontal bone
Ethmoid
Palatine
Maxillary
Mnemonic: Very special news for Ethiopian PM
Large opening of diaphragm
T8Venacaval opening
T10Oesophageal opening
 Anatomy 7

T12Aortic opening
Mnemonic: Voice of America
Aortic opening
Aorta
Thoracic duct
Azygos vein
Mnemonic: ATA
Vena caval openingRight phrenic nerve
Inferior vena cava
Mnemonic: RP in Cave
Oesophageal openingLeft vagus
Right vagus
Oesophagus
Oesophageal branch of left gastric
artery
Mnemonic: Vagus, phagus, gas
Supports of uterus
Muscular supports/active supports
Perineal body
Urogenital diaphragm
Levator ani (pelvic diaphragm)
Mnemonic: PULP
Mechanical supports
Transverse cervical ligament (Mackenrodts ligament)
Uterosacral ligament (most strong)
Round ligament of uterus
Uterine axis
Pubocervical ligament
Mnemonic: TURUP (T and P are cervical)
Branches of cerebral part of internal carotid artery
Anterior cerebral artery
Middle cerebral artery
Ophthalmic artery
Anterior choroidal artery
Posterior communicating artery
Mnemonic: AM OCP
 8 Mnemonics

Branches of cavernous part of internal carotid artery

Meningeal branches
Cavernous branches
Hypophyseal branches
Mnemonic: MCH
Secondary curves: Adult curvatures of spinal cord

Anteriorly Mn
Cervical spine Convex X Lordosis
Thoracic spine Concave Cave Kyphosis
Lumbar spine Convex X Lordosis
Pelvic curve Concave Cave Kyphosis
(sacrococcygeal)

Lumbar: Lordosis (L for L)

Convex anteriorly: Lordosis
Mnemonic: XL
Shoulder abduction
015 Supraspinatus (suprascapular nerve)
1590 Deltoid (axillary nerve)
90120 Deltoid (+ short external rotators) (axillary nerve)
120180 Serratus anterior (nerve to serratus anterior)
Trapezius (spinal accessory nerve)
Subclavian triangle
Nerve contents
Three trunks of brachial plexus
Nerve to serratus anterior
Nerve to subclavius
Suprascapular nerve
Mnemonic: 3S in subclavian Triangle
Maxillary A (branch of external carotid artery)
Branches of first part
Middle meningeal artery
Accessory meningeal artery
Inferior alveolar artery
Deep auricular artery
 Anatomy 9

Anterior tympanic artery

Mnemonic: MAIDA
Branches of second part
Deep temporal
Pterygoid
Masseteric
Buccal
Mnemonic: All muscular branches
Prostate
Median lobebenign
Posterior lobeMalignant/carcinomatous transformation
Mnemonic: PMC (Patna Medical College)
Least dilatable and narrowest part of male urethra =
Membranous (except external urethral orifice)
Mnemonic: LMN
Branches of external carotid artery
Anterior: Superior thyroid artery
Facial artery
Lingual artery
Posterior: Occipital artery
Posterior auricular artery
Medial: Ascending pharyngeal artery
Terminal: Maxillary artery
Superficial temporal artery
Mnemonic: SFL (Safal) OP Ascends Max STep
Primary cartilaginous joint/hyaline cartilaginous joint/
synchondrosis
Joint between epiphysis and diaphysis of long bone
Spheno-occipital joint
First chondrosternal joint
Costochondral joint
Mnemonic: PHC
Secondary cartilaginous joint/fibrocartilaginous joint/
symphysis
Symphysis pubis
Symphysis menti
 10 Mnemonics

Intervertebral joint between vertebral bodies (sacro-

coccygeal joint)
Manubriosternal Joint
Xiphisternal Joint
Mnemonic: 2SIMaX
Fibrous joints
Sutures: Skull
Gomphosis: Tooth in its sockets
Syndesmosis: Inferior tibiofibular joint, middle radioulnar joint,
tympanostapedial joint
Mnemonic: Iti Mira Tysta
Synovial joint
Plane synovial joint: Joint between articular process of
vertebra
Intercarpal and intertarsal
Mnemonic: Art of car and tar are plane
Hinge joint
Interphalangeal
Elbow
Ankle
Mnemonic: HIPEA
Pivot (trochoid)
Median atlanto-axial joint
Inferior and superior radioulnar joint
Mnemonic: MAA and ISRU
Ellipsoid: Metacarpophalangeal joint
Atlanto-occipital joint
Wrist joint
Mnemonic: MCP AO, wrist
Condylar (bicondylar): Knee joint
Right and left jaw joint
Mnemonic: J and K are bicondylar
Saddle (sellar): Sternoclavicular joint
1st carpometacarpal joint
Calcaneocuboid joint
Mnemonic: Stern 1st CM of Calca is sad
Ball and socket: Shoulder joint
 Anatomy 11

Hip joint
Talocalcaneonavicular joint
Epiphysis
Pressure epiphysis: Head of femur
Condyles of tibia
Lower end of radius
Mnemonic: Press HCL
Traction epiphysis: Tubercles of humerusMastoid process
Trochanters of femur
Mnemonic: TMT
Atavistic epiphysis: Coracoid process of scapula
Osmium trigonum
Aberrant epiphysis: Head of first metacarpal
Base of other metacarpals
Veins of heart
Contents of coronary sulcus:
Great cardiac vein
Coronary sinus
Small cardiac vein
Mnemonic: GCS
Anterior cardiac vein drains directly into right atrium
Mnemonic: ADDRA
Smallest cardiac vein/Thesbian veins/venae cordis minimi
drains directly into the cavity in all four chambers.
Rest drains into coronary sinus, i.e, great cardiac vein
(Anterior Interventricular septum)
Middle cardiac vein (Posterior interventricular septum)
Mnemonic: Middle Post
Small cardiac vein
Posterior vein of LV
Oblique vein of LA
Right marginal vein
Muscles of mastication
Pterygoidlateral and medial
Masseter
Temporalis
Mnemonic: PMT
 12 Mnemonics

Structures derived from the neural crest

C-cells of thyroid
Conotruncal septum
(Chromaffin tissue) (adrenal medulla)
Neurons: The neurons of
Spinal dorsal root ganglia
Sensory ganglia of 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th
cranial nerves
Sympathetic ganglia
Pia-arachnoid mater
Schwann cells
Melanoblasts (mesenchyme of dental papilla and pharyngeal
arches)
Mnemonic: 3C 3S PSM
Yellow elastic cartilage forms: External ear
External auditory canal
Eustachian tube
Epiglottis
Tip of arytenoids
Tip of nose
Corniculate cartilage
Cuneiform cartilage
Mnemonic: E4T2C2
Hyaline cartilage forms: (Type 2 collagen)
Costal
Nasal
Some laryngeal
Tracheobronchial
All temporary and most articular
cartilages
Mnemonic: ATMA
Femoral artery: Superficial branches
Superficial external pudendal
Superficial epigastric
Superficial circumflex iliac
Deep branches
Profunda femoris
 Anatomy 13

Deep external pudendal

Muscular branches
Mnemonic: PDM
External iliac artery:Branches
Inferior epigastric artery
Deep circumflex iliac artery
Note: 1. Inferior epigastric artery anastomoses with
superior epigastric artery (a branch of internal
thoracic artery).
2. Profunda femoris is the largest branch of femoral
artery. It is the chief artery to supply all 3
compartments of thigh. lts branches
1. Medial circumflex femoral artery
2. Lateral circumflex femoral artery
3. Four perforating arteries
Sites of narrowing of normal ureter
Ureteric orifice
Ureterovesical junction
Juxtaposition of the vas deferens or broad ligament
Crossing of the iliac artery
Ureteropelvic junction
Mnemonic: Ureteric orifice is VVIP
Anterior belly of digastric is supplied by mandibular nerve
Postserior belly of digastric is supplied by facial nerve
Mnemonic: ADM and PDF
Mandibular nerve (lst arch): Mylohyoid
Muscles of mastication
Anterior belly of digastric
Tensor tympani
Tensor veli palati
Mnemonic: My Mast Ant digest Tension
Facial Nerve (2nd arch): Stapedius
Stylohyoid
Posterior belly of digastric
Muscles of facial expression
Mnemonic: Stupid style Dip muscles of facial expression
 14 Mnemonics

Glossopharyngeal nerve (3rd arch): Stylopharyngeus

Mnemonic: Gloss style-pharyngeal common)
Superior laryngeal nerve (4th arch)
Muscles of pharynx
(except stylopharyngeus)
Muscles of palate
(except tensor veli palati)
Recurrent laryngeal nerve (6th arch): Muscles of larynx
(except cricothyroid)
Note: Cricothyroid muscle is supplied by external branch of
superior laryngeal nerve.
Mnemonic: Ex Cricketer
StapesSmallest
Mnemonic: S for S
Malleus: Largest
Direction of nasolacrimal duct: Downward, backward and
laterally.
Mnemonic: DBL, i.e. double
Inferior meatus: Nasolacrimal duct
Mnemonic: INLD
Middle meatus: 4 openings:
Middle ethmoidal air cells
Maxillary sinus
Anterior ethmoidal air cells
Frontal sinus
Superior meatus: Posterior ethmoidal sinus.
Mnemonic: SuPES
Sphenoethmoidal recessSphenoid air cells.
Mnemonic: SERS
Coronal suturebetween 2 ears (Can in hindi)
Mnemonic: C for C
Sagittal suturebetween 2 parietal bones.
Asterionparietomastoid occipital (PMO).
 Anatomy 15

BregmaAnterior fontanelle
Mnemonic: AB
LambdaPosterior fontanelle
Routine opening of mouth: Lateral pterygoid.
Forceful opening of mouth: Digastric
Geniohyoid
Myelohyoid
Mnemonic: DGM
Infrahyoid muscles also known as strap muscles:
Sternohyoid
Omohyoid
Sternothyroid
Thyrohyoid
Ansa cervicalis is nerve supply of: Omohyoid
Sternothyroid
Sternohyoid
Mnemonic: OH Anshu SiT on Shoe
C1 is the nerve supply of: Thyrohyoid
Geniohyoid
Mnemonic: C1 is The GHar
Male internal genitalia
S: Seminal vesicles
E: Epididymis
E: Ejaculatory duct
D: Ductus deferens (Vas deferens)
Mnemonic: SEED
Paranasal sinuses
Maxillary sinusdevelops at birth
Ethmoidal sinusdevelops at birth
Frontal sinusdevelops at 2 years
Sphenoid sinusdevelops at 35 years.
Mnemonic: MEFS
The inferior turbinate is a separate bone, while rest of the
turbinates are a part of ethmoidal bone.
Mnemonic: InferiorIndependent
 16 Mnemonics

Cerebellum
Cerebellar cortex five cells:
Granule cells
Golgi cells
Purkinje cells
Stellate cells
Basket cells
Mnemonic: Garm gol puri in steel basket
Deep cerebellar nuclei:
Dentate
Emboliform
Fastigial
Globose
Mnemonic: DEFG
Note: The axons of Purkinje cells are the only output from
the cerebellar cortex, generally pass to the deep nuclei.

Appendix of testisParamesonephric duct

Mnemonic: ATP
Appendix of epididymisMesonephric duct
Mnemonic: MEA
 2
Biochemistry

Inhibitors of TCA cycle

Fluoroacetate inhibits aconitase (non-competitive >
competitive)
Arsenite inhibits -Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (non-
competitive)
Malonate inhibits succinate dehydrogenase (competitive)
Mnemonic: FAM inhibits AKS
Transamination reaction
Aspartate + -ketoglutarate oxaloacetate + glutamate
Mnemonic: ASO
Alanine + -ketoglutarate pyruvate + glutamate
Mnemonic: PyAl
G for GGlutamateketoglutarate
Sphingolipidosis: X-linked recessive Fabrys disease
Mnemonic: Fab X
Biochemical tests

Sugars (reducing sugars)

Fehlings test
Benedicts test
Mnemonic: FBS (or fasting blood sugar)
Bile pigments
Gmelin test
Fouchet test
Rosenbachs test
Mnemonic: Pig GFR

17
 18 Mnemonics

Also remember
Ketone bodies
Rothera test (Nitroprusside test)Roth Nite
Gerhardt test (Ferric chloride test)
Mnemonic: GF
SGPT ALT Cytosolic
Mnemonic: CLP
Also remember: SGOT (AST)80% mitochondrial and 20%
cytosolic
Water soluble vitamins: Vitamins B and C
Mnemonic: WBC
Vit. B complex energy releasing
Thiamine (B1)
Riboflavin (B2)
Niacin (B3)
Mnemonic: 123-TRN (Tarun in Hindi)
Biotin
Pantothenic acid
Pyridoxine B6
Mnemonic: six pyre
Blot transfer techniques
Southern blot DNA
Northern blot RNA
Western blot Protein
Mnemonic: South Dakshin DNA
Western Paschim Protein
Respiratory chain inhibitors
Complex IV inhibitors: Cyanide (CN)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S)
Sodium azide
Mnemonic: ides are complex IV inhibitors
Location of major glycosaminoglycans
Hyaluronic acid: Synovial fluid
Loose connective tissue
 Biochemistry 19

Vitreous humor
Cartilage
Mnemonic: Hy SyL Vi in Car
Chondroitin sulphate: Cartilage
Bone
Cornea
Mnemonic: CBC
Karatan sulphate: Cornea (KS I)
Loose connective tissue (KS II)
Heparin: Mast cells
Heparan sulphate: Aortic wall
Skin fibroblasts
Dermatan sulphate: Wide distribution
Catabolism of carbon skeletons of amino acids
Oxaloacetate forming amino acidAsparagine (aspartate)
Mnemonic: Ox in spa
Fumarate forming amino acidsPhenylalanine, tyrosine
Mnemonic: PheTyr fumes
Succinyl CoA: Threonine, valine, isoleucine, methionine
Mnemonic: Three successful VIM
Ketoglutarate: Proline, histidine, arginine, glutamine
Mnemonic: PHAG
Pyruvate: Cystine, threonine, glycine, alanine, serine
Mnemonic: CT GAS in Peru
Acetyl CoA /Acetoacetyl CoA forming amino acids: Leucine,
isoleucine, lysine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine
Mnemonic: Lily Try Phe Tyr in AC
Transport of ammonia to liver
Muscleuses alanine
Mnemonic: Amma ki Mala
Other tissues use glutamine
Metabolic role of vitamin B12
Methylation of homocysteine to methionine
Isomerization of methyl malonyl CoA to succinyl CoA
Methylation of pyrimidine ring to form thymine
 20 Mnemonics

Interconversion of glutamate and -methyl aspartate in

bacteria
Conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides in
DNA synthesis
Metabolism of diols
Mnemonic: HMP and GRD in B12
HGPRTase deficiency
Partial def: Kelly Siegmillers syndrome
No CNS involvement
Complete def: Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
Mnemonic: Kelly is Partial
Classification of amino acids
Amino acids with aliphatic side chain
Glycine
Alanine
Valine
Leucine
Isoleucine
Mnemonic: GAVLI
With side chain containing OH (hydroxyl) group
Tyrosine
Threonine
Serine
Mnemonic: oh tie three Sari
With side chain containing sulphur atoms
Methionine
Cysteine
Mnemonic: MSC
Containing aromatic rings
Histidine
Tryptophan
Phenylalanine
Tyrosine
Mnemonic: Histry Phe Tyr
 Biochemistry 21

RNA polymerase transcribes

Type 1rRNA
Types 2 mRNA
Type 3tRNA
Mnemonic: RMT = Remote
Homozygous substitution with other amino acids in place of
Valine at position 67 of -chain
Glutamate Hb milwaukee
Mnemonic: Gala Milo
Aspartic acidHb bristol
Mnemonic: Brass
AlanineHb sydney
Mnemonic: Alan border of sydney
CPK-1-CPK BBbrain (Mnemonic: BB no. 1)
CPK-2-CPK MBmyocardium
Mnemonic: MB Heart attack
CPK-3-CPK MMskeletal muscle
CPK-MB 1extra cardiac form
CPK-MB 2cardiac form
Mnemonic: Heart attack especially in 2nd MB
Fructose 2, 6-bisphosphate
+ ve on PFK 1
ve on PFK 2
ve on fructose 1, 6-bisphosphatase
Note: PFK 2 is bifunctional (2 is bi.)

Ehrlichs aldehyde reagent test

Chloroform layer turns pinkUrobilinogen (Mnemonic: CPU)
Aqueous layer turns pinkporphobilinogen
Mg 2+ (Magnesium) is required in covalent modification of
enzymes by phosphorylation, dephosphorylation of seryl
residues.
It is required in:
Ribonuclease
 22 Mnemonics

Kinase
Transketolase
Peptidases
Ca carboxylase
Adenyl cyclase
Phosphatase
Mnemonic: RiKi Trap Car, add phos
Tryptophan Serotonin Melatonin
Niacin (nicotinic acid/nicotinamide)
Tryptophan contains indole functional group.
Tyrosine is formed from phenylalanine (Enz-phenylalanine
hydroxylase)
Tyrosine is also precursor for
Dopa
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Thyroxine
Triiodothyronine
Melamine
Note: Codon for tyrosine are UAC and UAU.
In Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy, tyrosine is used to
produce the alkaloid morphine.

Substrate level phosphorylation

1, 3-bisphosphoglycerate to 3-phosphoglycerate (phospho-
glycerate kinase), glycolysis
Phosphoenol pyruvate to pyruvate (pyruvate kinase)-
glycolysis
Succinyl CoA to succinate (succinyl CoA synthetase or
succinate thiokinase), Krebs cycle
Basic amino acid Pka of R
Histidine 6
Lysine 10.8
Arginine 12.5
 Biochemistry 23

Higher the Pka, more basic will be amino acid.

Mnemonic: Increasing order HLA
Guanine to cytosine G C (3 hydrogen bonds) adenosine to
thymidine A = T (2 hydrogen bonds)
Mnemonic: 3G
Named mutations
Nonsense mutation: Sense codon to change into nonsense
stop codon, causing premature termination of translation.
Missense mutation: Change of one sense codon into another
sense codon, for different amino acids
Mnemonic: Different Miss
Silent mutation: Change of one sense codon into another
sense codon for same amino acids (Mnemonic: S for S)
Null mutation: Leads to no functional gene product (complete
loss of function)
Loss of function mutation: Results of gene product having less
or no function.
Gain of function mutation: Change the gene product such that
it gains a new and abnormal function.
Neutral mutation: Different but chemically similar amino
acid.
Insulin receptor: Two subunits
subunit: It is extracellular and its function is to bind insulin.
subunit: It is a transmembrane protein and its function is
signal transduction.
Note: The cytoplasmic portion of subunit has tyrosine
kinase activity (enzymatic receptor).

Three steps in glycolysis that are physiologically irreversible.

These reactions are catalyzed by
Hexokinaseglucokinase (glucose to glucose 6-phosphate)
Phosphofructokinase (fructose 6 phosphate to fructose 1,
6-bisphosphate)
Pyruvate kinase (phosphoenol pyruvate to pyruvic acid)
To remember: All three are kinases.
One involves glucose, another fructose and third one
pyruvate.
 24 Mnemonics

Metabolic fuels
Organ Fed Fasting Starvation Mnemonics
Brain Glucose Glucose Ketone bodies Gul Gul Ke
Heart Fatty acid Fatty acid Ketone bodies FFK (Fafakna in
Hindi)
Liver Glucose Fatty acid Amino acid GFA (Girl Friend
Ayi rahne)
Muscles Glucose Fatty acid Fatty acid GFF (is muscil in
Hindi)
RBC Glucose Glucose Glucose Only glucose

DNA
PurinesAdenine, guanine
PyrimidinesCytosine, thymine
Mnemonic: Y for Y
Amino acids
Ketogenic Leucine
Lysine
Mnemonic: KiLL
Both glucogenic and ketogenic Isoluecine
Tryptophan
Phenylalanine
Tyrosine
Mnemonic: GK Is trying phenyl on tyre

Protein degeneration in eukaryotes

1. Protein degeneration in lysosomesinvolves lysosomal
proteins. This process does not involve ATP.
2. Protein degradation in proteosomesinvolves ubiquitin-
proteosome pathway. This process requires ATP, i.e. ATP
dependent.
Mnemonic: UPA
Trypsina proteolytic enzyme (proteinase)
It acts in an alkaline medium.
 Biochemistry 25

Activators: Enterokinase
Calcium
Trypsin itself
Mnemonic: ECT
Inhibitors: Human and bovine colostrums
Egg white (contains water soluble mucoprotein)
Raw soyabean
Alpha antiproteinase/-1 antitrypsin
Diisopropyl flurophosphate (DFP)
Mnemonic: HERALD
HelicaseUnwinds dsDNA to provide ssDNA
Mnemonic: HU
TopoisomeraseRelieves torsional strain that results from
helicase induced unwinding.
Mnemonic: T for T
 3
Physiology

Papez circuit
Cingulate gyrus Anterior thalamic
(limbic system) nucleus (thalamus)

Hippocampus Mammillary body
(limbic system) (hypothalamus)
Mnemonic: HiMaAnCi
Limbic system
Cingulate gyrus (rim of cortical tissue around hilum of
cerebral hemisphere)
Amygdala
Septal nuclei
Hippocampus formation
Mnemonic: CASH
Precursors of
Clotting factors Carboxylase Mature clotting
II, VII, IX and X factors II, VII, IX, X
(inactive- Vitamin K (active -carboxy-
glutamyl glutamyl) Gla
residues) (Hydroxyquinone) residues

This reaction requires CO2 and hydroxyquinone form of vit. K

Mnemonic: CHK
Phase of minimum cardiac motion
At low/intermediate heart ratesMid-diastole
Mnemonic: Mid day minimum
At high heart rates: Late systole
26
 Physiology 27

Nitric oxide synthase

NOS 1 (Endothelial NOS): Constitutive/Calcium dependent
NOS 2 (Inducible NOS): Inducible/Calcium Independent
NOS 3 (Neuronal NOS): Constitutive/Calcium dependent
Mnemonic: EINAlphabetically and In for In
Intestinal hormone stimulating insulin secretion
Gastrin
Gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP)
Glucagon
Glucagon like peptide (GLP)
Cholecystokinin (CCK)
Secretin
Mnemonic: 4GCS
Features of cerebellar function/lesion
Past pointing
Hypotonia
Cerebellar nystagmus
Dysmetria
Dysarthria
Dysdiadochokinesia
Intention tremor
Ataxia
Mnemonic: PHC D3I2A1
Pain insensitive structure
Parenchyma of brain
Plexus (choroid)
Ependymoma
Pia-arachnoid
Dura over convexity of skull
Mnemonic: PCS is insensitive
Also remember: Vasomotor center (VMC)
Excitatory: Cortex
Pain pathway
Carotid and aortic chemoreceptors
Direct stimulators: CO2
Hypoxia
 28 Mnemonics

Cells within gastric glands

Chief Zudge fund of pepsichief cells/zymogenic cells
fundus of stomachpepsin
Ox and Pari are intrinsic to HCLoxyntic cells or parietal
cells secrete HCL.
Abnormal Hb with decreased solubility
HbS (6-GLU-VAL)
HbC (6-GLU-LYS)
HbD (6-GLU-GLM)
Mnemonic: Supreme Court Decision-Very Long Gap
Parasympathetic fibres carrying cranial nerves3, 7, 9, 10
Pure motor3, 4, 6, 11, 12
Pure sensory1, 2, 8
The Dorsal spinocerebellar tract enters the cerebellum
through inferior cerebellar peduncle. The ventral tract enters
into the cerebellum through superior cerebellar peduncle.
Mnemonic: DIN
Medullary respiratory centres:
Dorsal respiratory group (DRG), located in the dorsal portion
of the medulla, which mainly causes inspiration
Mnemonic: Din
Ventral respiratory group (VRG) located in the ventrolateral
part of the medulla, which mainly causes expiration.
Hormones with second messenger cGMP
Atrial natriuretic factor
Nitric oxide
Mnemonic: NAG
Hormones with second messenger Creatine Kinase
Growth hormone
Erythropoietin
Prolactin
Insulin
Insulin like growth factors I and II
Chorionic somatomammotropin
Mnemonic: Growing EPICK
 Physiology 29

Hormones with second messenger cAMP

2 adrenergic catecholamines
adrenergic catecholamines
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)pituitary
Antidiuretic hormone (V2)2 ampoule
Calcitoninparafollicular C cell of thyroid
Chorionic gonadotropin, human
Corticotropin release hormone
Dopamine
Glucagonpancreas
FSHpituitary
LHpituitary
MSH
PTHparathyroid
Somatostatin
TSHpituitary (FLAT)
Mnemonic: ACD GF LM PST
Second messenger is Ca2+/PIP
Oxytocin
ADH (V1A and V1B)
TRH
Gonadotropin releasing hormone
Gastrin
Cholecystokinin
Acetylcholine
1-adrenergic catecholamine
Intrinsic muscle control
Golgi tendon organdetects muscle tensioninverse stretch
reflexlengthening reaction
Mnemonic: T for T
Muscle spindledetects muscle lengthstretch reflex
Mnemonic: S for S
Vestibular cerebellumequilibrium
spinocerebellumSmoothens and coordinates
Mnemonic: S for S
Neocerebellumplanning and programming
 30 Mnemonics

Trichromatic theory
Red protanomaly
Greendeuteranomaly
Bluetritanomaly
Mnemonic: Red-Green-Blue (Ragbi)
General somatic efferents: Motor functions of skeletal muscles
derived from somites: Cranial nerves
III (Oculomotor nucleus)
IV (Trochlear nucleus)
VI (Abducens nucleus): Supplies extraocular muscles
XII (Hypoglossal nucleus): Supplies tongue muscles
Mnemonic: Tongue muscles and Extraocular muscles
General visceral efferents: Motor function of smooth muscles
and glands of head and viscera that receive parasympathetic
supply
Cranial nerves
Superior salivatory nucleus (VII) Superior Seven
Inferior salivatory nucleus (IX) Inferior Nine
Dorsal motor nucleus (X) Dorsal ~ Das (Hindi)
Edinger-Westphal nucleus (III)
Mnemonic: SIDE
Bronchial efferents/special visceral efferents
Ambiguous nucleus (IX, X, XI)
Masticatory nucleus (V)
Spinal accessory nucleus (XI)
Facial nucleus (VII)
Mnemonic: Ambi Ka Mast Special accessory face
Axon reflex contributes only to the Flare component of triple
response.
Mnemonic: Flaxon
Sarcolemmal proteins localized to the cytoplasmic side of
sarcolemma
Dysferlin
Dystrophin
Calpain
Mnemonic: Fer pin Pain
 Physiology 31

Also remember: Transmembrane sarcolemmal proteins

Dystroglycans, integrins, sarcoglycans and caveolin
Mnemonic: DISC
The dorsal column ascends such that it remains ipsilateral
along the entire length of spinal cord (its branch cross over in
medulla)
Mnemonic: DCM-Dorsal column cross over in medulla
Sensations transmitted by spinothalamic tract
Anterior spinothalamic tract
Mnemonic: Crude ATP-Crude touch and pressure in anterior
Spinothalamic tract
Lateral spinothalamic tract
Pain (pin prick)
Temperature
Mnemonic: PLT
Note: The spinothalamic tract crosses more or less at point
of entry itself such that it remains contralateral along the
whole length of spinal cord.

When compared to plasma

Serum has no fibrinogen, clotting factors II, V and VIII but has
higher serotonin content because of platelet breakdown in
serum
Mnemonic: S for S
Frequency of sleep waves

Gamma oscillations 3080 Hz Great

Beta waves 1830 Hz B
Alpha waves 812 Hz A
Theta waves 47 Hz T
Delta waves < 4 Hz Dance

Awake person
Eyes opened Beta waves
Mnemonic: Opening batsman
Eyes closed Alpha waves
 32 Mnemonics

Oxygen toxicity
AcuteBert effectCNS effects are predominant (muscle
twitching, convulsions, coma) (Mnemonic: ABC)
ChronicSmith effectpulmonary effects (pulmonary
edema, lung atelectasis)
Hormones produced in kidney
Renin
Erythropoietin
1, 25-Dihydroxycholecalciferolvit. D
Mnemonic: RED
Testis
Interstitial cells of Leydigsecrete testosterone
Mnemonic: Lete
Most other functionsSertoli cells
Y-Chromosomesmall acrocentric
Mnemonic: Yac
Naturally occurring estrogens
Estrone: Major estrogen in postmenopausal women
Mnemonic: NM
Estradiol: Major and most potent estrogen in women
Estriol: Major estrogen in pregnancy, marker for fetoplacental
unit.
Mnemonic: PT
Clasp knife spasticity: Upper motor neuron lesion
(corticospinal pyramidal system involved)
Mnemonic: Up in Spa
Lead pipe and cogwheel rigidity occurs in extrapyramidal
syndrome, e.g. Parkinsonism.
Mnemonic: Extra rigid in Parkinsonism
Paratonia/gegenhaltenbilateral frontal lobe damage
Mnemonic: FG
Cerebrovascular disease.
Sympathetic outflow: Thoracolumbar outflow
Mnemonic: SLT
Parasympathetic outflow: Craniosacral outflow
Mnemonic: PCS
 Physiology 33

LH surge: Ovulationhormone picture

High estrogen
Low progesterone
Mnemonic: HELP
IRV + TV = Inspiratory capacity (Mn: ITI)
ERV + RV = Functional residual capacity (Mnemonic: FER)
IRV + TV + ERV = Vital capacity
IRV + TV + ERV + RV = Total lung capacity
VC + RV = TLC (Mnemonic: VRT)
Positive feedback mechanisms
Parturition
Action potential initiation
Blood clotting/clot formation
LH surge
Ca2+ mediated contraction
Shock
Mnemonic: PABLCS
Sympathetic cholinergic system serves two important
functions:
a. Sweat glandsecretion of sweat.
b. Vasodilatation in skeletal musclesa part of the neurons
to blood vessels in skeletal muscles is anatomically
sympathetic but secrete acetylcholine. Stimulation of this
system of neurons produces vasodilatation in skeletal
muscles.
Stimulus for CCK-PZ secretion:
a. Presence of peptides and amino acids in contact with
mucosa of small intestine.
b. Presence in the duodenum of fatty acids having more
than 10 carbon atoms.
Stimulus for secretin secretion:
a. Acidity of chyme
b. Products of protein digestion
Stage IV: NREM sleep disorders:
Sleep walking (somnambulism)
 34 Mnemonics

Sleep terorr or night terror (pavor nocturnus)

Sleep related enuresis (bed wetting)
Bruxism (tooth grinding)
Sleep talking (somniloquy)
REM sleep disorders:
RBD-REM sleep behaviour disorder
Nightmares
Narcolepsy (hallmarkdecreased sleep latency)
Note: Penile tumescence is seen in REM sleep.

Mnemonic: RML Pens REM

Difference between T3 and T4
T3 is more potent.
T3 has faster onset of action.
T3 binds more avidly to nuclear receptors.
T4 is more secreted by thyroid.
T4 is major circulating hormone.
T4 binds more avidly to plasma proteins (15 times).
T4 has more plasma t
To remember: T4 = Pharmacokinetics
T3 = Pharmacodynamics
Note: About 1/3 of T4 is converted to T3 in peripheral
tissues.

Ions predominant in ICF:

Potassium
Phosphate (organic)
Protein
Magnesium
Mnemonic: 3PM
Ions predominant in ECFNa+/Cl/HCO3/Ca2+
 4
Pharmacology

LD50
Therapeutic Index = or LD50/ED50
ED50
Mnemonic: TILE
Selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors
Roflumilast
Cilomilast
Tofimilast
Mnemonic: RCT-Milast
Small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors
HER1 (EGFR) Erb B1: Erlotinib (reversible)
Canertinib (Irreversible)
Gefitinib
Mnemonic: I Can do ECG
VGFR TK inhibitorsSorafenibRenal cell cancer
SunitinibRenal cell cancer
Mnemonic: VRS
Drugs used for acute gout
NSAIDS
Colchicine
Corticosteroids
Mnemonic: NCC
Relative potency of same steroid at equivalent concentrations
in different formulation
Ointment > Emollient > Gel > Cream > Lotion
Mnemonic: OEGCL
35
 36 Mnemonics

Anticancer cells: Cell cycle specific

G2 phase specific: Daunorubicin
Etoposide
Bleomycin
Topotecan and Irinotecan
Mnemonic: DEBT
S-phase specific agent: Antimetabolites
Mtx
6MP
6TG
5-FU
Cytarabine
Hydroxyurea
M-phase specific: Vinca alkaloids
Paclitaxel and Docetaxel
G1 phase: Vinblastine
Drugs causing hyperuricemia
L-Dopa
Ethambutol
Aspirin
Diuretic
Cyclosporine
Alcohol
Nicotinic acid
Pyrazinamide
Mnemonic: LEAD CAN poison
Anti-TNF- drugs
Etanercept
Adalimumab
Infliximab
Mnemonic: Etalion adalat Ka Insaf
Clomiphene citrate
Enclomiphenetrans-antagonist
Zuclomiphenecis-weak agonist
Mnemonic: N for N
Anti-anxiety Benzodiazepines
Diazepam
Chlordiazepoxide
 Pharmacology 37

Oxazepam
Lorazepam
Alprazolam
Mnemonic: Dia Ka CHOLA
Anti-pseudomonal penicillins
Azlocillin
Mezlocillin
Carbenicillin
Piperacillin
Ticarcillin
Mnemonic: (Az) (Mez) pe Car Ka Pipe Tica
Penicillinase susceptible penicillins
Penicillin G: Acid labile
Penicillin V: Acid stable
Mnemonic: Galib
Penicillinase resistant
Nafcillin
Methicillin
Flucloxacillin
Oxacillin
Cloxacillin
Dicloxacillin
Mnemonic: Name Flu of OCD (last four areoxa)
Intramuscular penicillins
Benzathine penicillin G
Procaine penicillin G
Mnemonic: BP (measured on muscle)
Intravenous intramuscular
Penicillin G
Crystalline penicillin G or sodium penicillin G
Anti-fungal drugs
Systemic azoles Itraconazole
Voriconazole
Fluconazole
Mnemonic: IVF
 38 Mnemonics

Note: Ketoconazole is both topical and systemic.

Side effects: Tacrolimus versus cyclosporine

Tacrolimus causes more
Neurotoxicity
Nephrotoxicity
Diabetes mellitus
Diarrhoea
Mnemonic: N2D2: ND Tiwari
Cyclosporine causes more
Hirsutism
Hyperplasia of gums
Hypertension
Hepatotoxicity
(4H: First two are absent in tacrolimus)
Management of PSVT
Adenosine > beta () blocker > calcium channel blocker
(verapamil) > digoxin
Mnemonic: ABCD
Beta agonistsside effects
Tolerance
Tachycardia
Tremor
Mnemonic: 3T
Effects mediated through 2 receptor agonists
Relaxation of smooth muscles
Airway (bronchial muscles) Bronchodilatation (relaxation)
Blood vessels Vasodilatation (relaxation)
(Arterioles and Veins)
Ciliary muscles in eye Relaxation
Detrusor muscles in bladder Relaxation
Gall bladder and duct Relaxation
Gastrointestinal tract Relaxation
Uterus Relaxation
Splenic capsule Relaxation
Mnemonic: ABCD G2US (i.e. ABCD GO TO US)
 Pharmacology 39

Oral drug therapy for treatment of erectile dysfunction

P Pentoxyfylline
O Opoid antagonist (naltrexone)
D Dopamine agonist (bomocriptine, apomorphine)
A Alpha blockers (yohimbine, idaxozan)
Mnemonic: PODA
Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) analogues
Riopristil
Alprostadil
Misoprostol
Mnemonic: RAM
Prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) analogues
Dinoprost
Carboprost
Latanoprost
Mnemonic: Prost
Hormones acting through cell membrane receptors
G protein coupled receptors
Enzymatic receptors
G protein coupled receptors act either
Through alteration in CAMP concentration, or
Through IP3/DAG generation
CAMP altering hormones are (another Mnemonic: ABCD GF
LMPST)
Pancreas: Glucagon, somatostatin (delta cells)
Pituitary: FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH (Mnemonic: FLATCAMP)
Parathyroid: PTH
Parafollicullar C cells of thyroid: Calcitonin
Posterior pituitary: Vasopressin (V2)
Plus hypothalamic releasing hormones (CRH, dopamine)
Placenta: hCG
Peptide of intermediate pituitary: MSH
Through IP3/DAG: Oxytocin TRH gastrin Acetylcholine
Vasopressin Gn RH Angiotensin II
(V1)
 40 Mnemonics

Through cGMPNO
ANF
Mnemonic: NAG (NO, ANF through cGMP)
Rapid acting human insulin analogues
Insulin aspart
Insulin lispro
Insulin glulisine
Mnemonic: Asli Glu
Also Remember: Long acting human insulin analogues
Insulin glargine
Insulin detemir
Mechanism of action of antiepileptic agents
Facilitation of GABA mediated chloride channel opening
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Gabapentin
Tiagabine
Topiramate
Vigabatrin
Valproate
Mnemonic: BaBe Girl Tia Top in Viva of GABA class
Inhibition of T type Ca2+ current
Valproate
Trimethadione
Ethosuximide
Mnemonic: Vallore try ethical current
Prolongation of Na+ channel inactivation
Valproate
Lamotrigine
Zonisamide
Phenytoin
Carbamazepine
Topiramate
Mnemonic: Very long zone of Na+ in PCT
 Pharmacology 41

Gp II b/III a antagonist
Eptifibatide
Tirofiban
Abciximab
Mnemonic: EpTiAb
All Navirs are protease inhibitors
NNRTI: Efavirenz
Etravirine
Nevirapine
Delaviridine
Mnemonic: 2END
Didanosine Stavudine Zalcitabine
(20%) (71%) (15%)
Similar toxic profiles
Peripheral neuropathy (% in bracket)
Lactic acidosis
Pancreatitis
Liver: Hepatomegaly with steatosis
Mnemonic: PLPL
Anti-metabolite acting by hypomethylation (inhibit DNA
methyl transferase)
Azacitidine
Decitabine
Mnemonic: Hypo Aza D
Thymine less death (inhibit DNA synthesis by blocking
synthesis of thymidylate) causing anti-metabolites
5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu)
Capecitabine (5-Fu analogues)
Anti-metabolite acting by inhibition of DNA elongation (DNA
intercalating agent)
Cytarabine or cytosine arabinoside (pyrimidine-cytidine
analogue)
Gemcitabine (Pyrimidine-cytidine analogue)
Mnemonic: Arab Gem inhibit elongation
 42 Mnemonics

Filgrastim is recombinant GCSF (glycoprotein) produced in

E. coli
Mnemonic: EFG
High dose methotrexate is used for osteosarcoma, brain
tumors and hematological malignancies.
Mnemonic: Bone, Brain, Blood
Filgrastim: GCSF/(Gra for granulocyte)
Sargramostim GM-CSF (Gramo for granulocyte monocyte)
Drugs associated with SIADH
Vasopressin or desmopressin
Chlorpropamide
Oxytocin, high dose
Vincristine
Carbamazepine
Nicotine
Phenothiazines
Cyclophosphamide
TCA
MAO inhibitors
SSRI
Mnemonic: VCO VCN PC, TMS
Drugs causing constipation
Aluminium hydroxide
Barium sulphate
Calcium carbonate
Ferrous sulphate
Ganglionic blockers
Ion exchange resins
Opiates
Phenothiazines
Tricyclic antidepressants
Verapamil (calcium channel blockers)
Mnemonic: ABC, FGI, OP, TV)
Note: Mg2+ is laxative.
 Pharmacology 43

Benzodiazepines that do not produce active metabolites

Oxazepam
Midazolam
Lorazepam
Tamazepam
Triazolam
Mnemonic: OMLTT (Omlette)
Drugs acting on GABA A (intrinsic ion channel receptors)
Agonist: Muscimol
Antagonist: Bicuculline
Agonist: Baclofen (B for B)
Antagonist: Saclofen
Drugs acting on GABA B (G protein coupled receptors) (Mn:
GB)
Mnemonic: MBBS
(Muscimol, Bicuculline, Baclofen, Saclofen)
Absence seizure: Drug of choice
< 3 yrs of age: Ethosuximide
> 3 yrs of age: Valproic acid
Interactions of valproate
May precipitate phenobarbitone toxicity by inhibiting
metabolism
May precipitate phenytoin toxicity by displacing it from
protein binding sites and inhibiting metabolism.
May precipitate absence status when used with clonazepam.
Immunosuppression with triple therapy: Nice guidelines
Cyclosporine (calcineurin inhibitor)
Azathioprine (anti-proliferative agent)
Prednisolone (corticosteroid)
Mnemonic: CAP
Note: Azathioprine may be replaced by mycofenolate
mofetil.

Adverse effects of amiodarone (iodine containing long acting

anti-arrhythmic belong to class III)
Thyroidhypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
 44 Mnemonics

Peripheral neuropathy
Myocardial depression
Pulmonary alveolitis and fibrosis (lung)dry cough
Corneal microdeposits
Liver toxicity
Photosensitization
Mnemonic: The Periphery of My lung cornea live with
photosensitivity
Fluoroquinolones excreted primarily by non-renal
mechanism
Pefloxacin
Trovafloxacin
Grepofloxacin
Nalidixic acid
Mnemonic: Petro Grenal
Note: Sparfloxacin has 50% renal and 50% fecal route of
excretion.

Anti-pseudomonal cephalosporins
Ceftazidime
Cefoperazone
Cefepime
Cefotaxine
Second line anti-tubercular drugs
Old drugs
PAS
Ethionamide
Cycloserine
Thioacetazone
Mnemonic: PECT
Amikacin
Kanamycin
Capreomycin
Mnemonic: Ami KC
New drugs
Ciprofloxacin
Ofloxacin
 Pharmacology 45

Clarithromycin
Azithromycin
Rifabutin
Mnemonic: COCA-Rafa
Chelating agents in heavy metal poisoning
Dimercaprol (BAL): Bismuth
Antimony
Lead
Mercury
Arsenic
Copper
Nickel
Gold
Mnemonic: BALMA CNG
Calcium disodium edetate (CaNa2EDTA)
Lead poisoning
Mnemonic: Ledta
Zn, Cd, Mn, Cu, Fe poisoning
Penicillamine
Copper
Mercury
Lead
Mnemonic: CML
Note: BAL: Not in iron and cadmium poisoning
Mnemonic: BANIC
EDTA: Not in mercury poison
Mnemonic: ENM
Penicillamine: Not in iron poisoning
Mnemonic: PNI

Phenytoinside effects
Hyperplasia of gums
Hyperglycemia
Hirsutism
Hypersensitivity reaction
Hydantoin syndrome: Teratogenicity
 46 Mnemonics

Lymphadenopathy
Megaloblastic anaemia
Neurological symptoms
Osteomalacia
Mnemonic: 5H + LMNOP
Valproateside effects
Anorexia, vomiting
Alopecia (transient)
Ataxia, sedation
Ammonemia (hyper)
Thrombocytopenia
Tremor
Hepatotoxicity
Neural tube defect
Weight gain
Mnemonic: VAT + HNW
Antidote of warfarin (oral anticoagulants): Vitamin K 1
(phytonadione)
Antidote of heparinprotamine sulphate
Drugs acting on cell membrane and promoting leakage from
membranes
Polyenes: Amphotericin B
Hamycin
Nystatin
Polypeptides: Polymyxin
Colistin
Mnemonic: AB HaNy and PoCo leak membrane
Mechanism of action of anti-microbial agents
Inhibition of DNA gyrase: Fluoroquinolones
Mnemonic: FG
Misreading of mRNA code: Aminoglycoside (Mn:Amina
misread code)
Inhibition of protein synthesis
Chloramphenicol 50S
Erythromycin 50S
 Pharmacology 47

Clindamycin 50S
Mnemonic: CEC 50
Tetracycline 30S
Aminoglycoside 30S
Beta adrenergic agonists, nitrates, digitalis and diuretics are
best avoided during treatment of HOCM.
Mnemonic: BeNi DiDi avoid HOCM
Contraceptive failure may occur if any of the following drugs
is used concurrently:
Enzyme inducers: Phenytoin, phenobarbitone primidone,
carbamazepine, rifampicin, griseofulvin.
Suppression of intestinal microflora tetracycline, ampicillin
Drugs following zero order kinetics
Warfarin
Ethyl alcohol
Theophylline
Tolbutamide
Phenytoin
Aspirin (salicylate)
Propranolol
Mnemonic: Zero WATT PAP
Adrenaline: 1 + 2 + 1 + 2
Noradrenaline: 1 + 2 + 1 (no 2 action)
Dopamine: D1 + D2 + 1 + 2 + 1 (no 2)
Isoprenaline: 1 + 2 (no action)
Dobutamine relatively 1 selective (no dopamine receptor
action)
Mnemonic: DONO has no B2 action
Adrenaline: Systolic BP increased
Diastolic BP decreased
Heart rate increased
Noradrenaline: Systolic BP increased
Diastolic BP increased
Heart rate decreased
 48 Mnemonics

Isoprenaline: Systolic BP normal/decreased

Diastolic BP decreased
Heart rate increased
Dopamine: D1 receptors in renal and mesenteric blood
vessels are very sensitive
IV infusion of low doses of DA dilates mesenteric vessels and
improves renal perfusion.
Dobutamine: Inotropic action
Selective MAO-A inhibitor: Clorgiline
Maclobemide
Selective MAO-B inhibitor: Selegiline
Non-selective MAO inhibitor Isocarboxazid
Tranylcypromine
Phenelzine
Mnemonic: ITP
Hemodialysis is not used in
Benzodiazepines (BZD)
Digitalis
Organophosphates
Copper sulphate
Kerosene
Mnemonic: BZD DOCK
Diagnostic test for myasthenia gravis
a. Ameliorative test: Edrophonium (anti-cholinesterase)
b. Provocative testd-tubocurarine
Pheochromocytoma
-blockage is the basis of management in preoperative
period. Phenoxybenzamine is the agent of choice.
-blockers should not be employed prior to establishing
effective -receptor blockage, since unopposed receptor
blockage could theoretically cause blood pressure elevation
from increased vasoconstriction.
Atenolol however is a selective 1 agonist, and acts on the
heart and not on peripheral blood vessels.
 Pharmacology 49

Diuretics, which do not promote bicarbonate excretion

Thiazide like diuretics, e.g. metazoline, indapamide,
chlorthalidone, Ethacrynic acid (unlike other loop diuretics)
Mnemonic: MICE
Most marked kaliuresis: Acetazolamide
Mnemonic: AK
Most marked natriuresis: Furosemide
Mnemonic: FuNa
Pharmacokinetics
ADME
Absorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Excretion
Plasma protein binding is associated with
Duration
Distribution
Disease (hypoalbuminemia)
Displacement
Dialysis
Area outside bloodbrain barrier (circumventricular organs)
Subfornical organ
OVLT (organum vasculosum of lamina terminalis)
Area postrema
Posterior pituitary
Mnemonic: SOAP
Note: CTZ (Chemoreceptor trigger zone) is also outside
bloodbrain barrier and responsible for vomiting.

Enzyme inducers
GGriseofulvin
PPhenytoin, Primidone
RRifampicin
SSmoking (PAHpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)
CarCarbamazepine
Phonephenobarbitone
 50 Mnemonics

Enzyme inhibitors
VallasValproate
KitKetoconazole
CanCimetidine
CauseCiprofloxacin
EnzymeErythromycin
InhibitionINH (Isoniazid)
Order of kinetics
First order CHF constant
Clearance
Half life
Fraction excreted
Zero orderRA constant
Rate of elimination
Amount eliminated
Nuclear hormones
SSex hormones (Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone)
AVitamin A
TThyroid hormones
Mnemonic: SATurday Night
Cytoplasmic receptor hormonesCorticosteroids
Vitamin D
Mnemonic: CCD
Drugs metabolized by acetylation
SSulfonamide including dapsone
HHydralazine
IINH (Isoniazid)
PProcainamide (antiarrhythmic drug)
Note: They can cause SLE.

Parasympathetic fibres are long in preganglionic.

Mnemonic: Para-Prelong
Preganglionic fibres release acetylcholine in both sympathetic
and parasympathetic systems.
 Pharmacology 51

Sympathetic system
Postganglionic fibres release noradrenaline
Exceptions
Sympathetic nerve fibres going to kidney secrete dopamine.
Sympathetic nerve fibres going to sweat glands release
acetylcholine (sympathetic cholinergic)
Mnemonic: Kid is sympathetic to dopa
Heart rateChronotropic
Mnemonic: HR
ConductionDromotropic
Mnemonic: D for D
ContractilityIonotropic
Hemicholiniuminhibits uptake of choline.
Vesamicholinhibits entry of acetylcholine in the vesicle
Botulinum toxininhibits release of acetylcholine.
M1Stomach (increases acid secretion)
M2Heart (Bradycardia)
M3Rest organs like eye, GIT, urinary bladder, bronchus,
glands
M4CNS
M5CNS
Mnemonic: Ma saysFirst eat, Second heart and rest work
later on
Drugs directly acting on parasympathetic system
Pilocarpine acts on Pupil (M3)miosis in glaucoma.
Mnemonic: P for P
Bethanichol acts on Bladder (M3)contracts urinary bladder
in urinary retention.
Mnemonic: B for B
Methacholine acts on Myocardium (M2)used in tachyarrhy-
thmia.
Carbachol actionCommon actionacts both on nicotinic
and muscarinic receptors.
Mnemonic: C for C
 52 Mnemonics

Oximes (enzyme reactivators) are acetylcholinesterase

reactivators.
Oximes are used only for organophosphorous poisoning.
Mnemonic: OOO
For example,
Pralidoxime (PAM)acts only in periphery.
Mnemonic: P for P
Diacetyl monoxime (DAM)acts on both sites.

Anticholinergic drugs act as cycloplegic.

Ciliary muscle contracts to cause accommodation.
Its nerve supply is short ciliary nervebranch of oculomotor
nerve (3rd cranial nerve). So, it is a part of parasympathetic
system.
That is why anticholinergic drugs cause cycloplegia by
blocking ciliary muscle contraction and causing loss of
accommodation.
Anticholinergic drugs are
Atropinestrongest cycloplegic drug. Very long acting. Used
for refraction testing in children.
Homatropine
Cyclopentolate
Tropicamide (Shortest acting. Preferred in adults.)
Mnemonic: D for adult
Anticholinergic drugs acting on urinary bladder (M 3 )
blockless contraction.
Cause urinary retention (side effect)
Used in overactive bladder/incontinence/detrusser instability.
Drugs used are
SSolifenacin
OOxybutynin
FFlavoxate
TTolterodine, Trospium
bladderDarifenacin
Mnemonic: SOFT bladder
 Pharmacology 53

Belladonna poisoning = Atropine poisoning = Dhatura

poisoning.
Mnemonic: BAD
1: Heart
Mnemonic: Heart is 1 in number
2: Lungs
Mnemonic: Lungs are 2 in number
1: Vasoconstriction
2: Vasodilatation
Mnemonic: A 1C
B 2D
M3: Circular musclesConstrictor pupillaesupplied by
short ciliary nerveactive miosisparasympathomimetic.
Mnemonic: MCC MAO
1: Radial musclesdilator pupillaesupplied by long ciliary
nerveactive mydriasissympathomimetics.
Dopamine acts on: g/kg/min
D1: Low dose <2
1 + D1: Intermediate dose 210
1 + 1 + D1: High dose > 10
Mnemonic: DBA
Dopa in name stimulates D1
For example, Dopamine
Fenoldopam
Note: Dobutamine mainly acts on 1.

Adrenaline acts on all 4 receptors (1, 2, 1 and 2)

Noradrenalinenot all (1, 2, 1)
Isoprenalineonly 1and 2
2 agonists
Salbutamol
Terbutaline
 54 Mnemonics

Salmetrol
Formetrol
Mnemonic: Metro is long acting.
Salmetrol is slow onset (S for S)
Formetrol is fast onset (F for F)
Side effects Tremor
Tachycardia
Tolerance
Mnemonic: 3T
Selective 1 blockerZosine
1AProstate
1BBlood vessels
Mnemonic: B for blood vessels
Note: Selective 1A blockerTamsulosin, Silodosin.

1 blockers/cardioselective/2nd generation
NewNebivolol
BetaBetaxolol
BlockersBisoprolol
ActAcebutolol
ExclusivelyEsmolol
AtAtenolol
MyoMetoprolol
CardiumCeliprolol
blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (partial
agonist)
ContainCeliprolol
PartialPindolol
AgonisticAlprenolol
ActivityAcebutolol
Mnemonic: All pind sell ace intrinsically
blockers with membrane stabilizing property
PossessPropranolol
Membrane stabilizing orMetoprolol
 Pharmacology 55

LocalLabetalol
AnestheticAcebutolol
PropertyPindolol
Water soluble blockerscontraindicated in renal failure:
AAtenolol
NNadolol
SSotalol
Mnemonic: SoNaAta
Nadolol is the longest acting blocker
Esmolol is the shortest acting blocker.
3rd generation blockers: blockers with any additional
cardiovascular advantage (vasodilatation)
a. + blockadeLabetalol, Carvedilol
b. NO releaseNebivolol.
Mnemonic: N for N
c. Ca2+ channel blockerCarvedilol
Mnemonic: C for C
d. K+ channel blockerTilisilol
e. 2 agonistCeliprolol
Carvedilol blocker
Ca2+ channel blocker
Antioxidant
Celiprolol 2 agonist
Cardioselective
Intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.
Loop and thiazide diuretics
Na+, K+, Mg2+, H+decrease
Sugar, lipid, uric acidincrease
Mnemonic: Loop looses calcium. It causes hypocalcemia.
But thiazides cause hypercalcemia
Digoxincontraindicated in renal failure.
Digitoxincontraindicated in hepatic failure.
Mnemonic: Toxin is metabolized in liver
 56 Mnemonics

Drugs causing gynaecomastia

DiDigitalis
SSpironolactone
CCimetidine
OOestrogen
Drug interactions of digitalis
Quinidine
Verapamil
Amiodarone
Thiazides
Mnemonic: Queens VAT digitally
Vasodilators
Mainly veinNitrates
Mainly arteryHydralazine
Mnemonic: Hydra is artist
Both blockers
ACE inhibitors
AT receptor blockers
Sodium nitroprusside
Drugs causing hirsutism
Cyclosporine
Phenytoin
Minoxidil
Mnemonic: CPM ka Hero
Diazoxidedecrease Insulin
Ca2+ channel
L typein CVS
T typein Thalamus (brain)
Mnemonic: T for T
Renin inhibitor
Approved for the treatment of hypertension
Can be given orally
Aliskiren
 Pharmacology 57

Remikiren
Enalkiren
Mnemonic: Inhibitor of Renin
Prils are ACE inhibitors.
Depines are calcium channel blockers.
Mnemonic: CD
ACE inhibitors
AActive
CCaptopril
LLisinopril
ACE inhibitorsCaptopril
CCough
AAngioedema
PProdrug (except Captopril and Lisinopril)
TTaste alteration (dysguesia)
OOrthostatic hypotension/Postural hypotension
PPregnancy is absolute contraindication
RRenal artery stenosis (bilateral) is absolute contraindication
IIncrease in K+hyperkalemia is contraindication
LLowers the risk of diabetic complications
Note: Angiotensin receptor blockers also follow these
except first 3 (CAP).

Sartans are angiotensin receptor blockers (block AT1 only).

Sartans are selective AT1 receptor antagonist.
Drugs safe in pregnancy
BetterBeta blockers
MotherMethyldopa
CareClonidine
DuringDihydroperidine
HypertensiveHydralazine
PregnancyPrazosin
Note: Antihypertensive drugs contraindicated in pregnancy
are ACE inhibitors and ARB.
 58 Mnemonics

Nitrate with minimum first pass metabolismIMN

Mnemonic: Iska Metabolism Nahi hota
Longest acting nitratePETN
Mnemonic: Longest name
Shortest acting nitrateAN
Mnemonic: Shortest name
Coronary steal phenomenon can be caused by
Hydralazine
Dipyridamol
Isoflurane
Mnemonic: HDI steal from Heart
Ivabradine
IIF blocker (funny current, which opens in hyperpolarisation
instead of depolarization)
VaVisual field defect
Bradicause bradycardia
NeNa+ channel blocker
Rho kinase inhibitorFasudil
Mnemonic: Dil me fasro mat
Myocardial infarction
Non-ST elevation MI
MMorphine
OOxygen
NNitrates
AAspirin
ST elevation MI
SStreptokinase
OOxygen
NNitrate
AAspirin
MMorphine
Antiarrhythmic drugsVaughan William classification:
ISodium channel blockers
IIBeta blockers
 Pharmacology 59

IIIPotassium channel blockers

IVCalcium channel blockers
VOthers
Mnemonic: SBP
Class III antiarrhythmic drugs
BBretylium
IIbutilide
DDofetilide
AAmioderone
SSotalol
Note: They can cause Torased des pointes.

Benzodiazepines
GABA facilitatory
Increases frequency of chloride channel opening
DRC flat
Specific antidoteFlumazenil
Mnemonic: 4F
Short acting benzodiazepines
TTriazolam, Temazepam
OOxazepam
LLorazepam
EEstazolam
Note: Short acting BZD aresafe in elderly, liver disease,
no hangover and no active metabolite.

Vigabatrin
ViVisual field defect
GabaGABA
TrTransaminase
Ininhibitor. In also stands for infantile spasm
Note: Vigabatrin is the drug of choice for infantile spasm
with tuberous sclerosis. ACTH is drug of choice for infantile
spasm.
 60 Mnemonics

Tiagabine
Mnemonic: Transport inhibitor of GABA
It is GABA reuptake inhibitor by inhibiting GAT1
Drug decreasing alcohol craving
NNaltrexone
AAcamprosate
TTopiramate
OOndansetron
Atypical antipsychotics5HT2A/2C blockers, e.g. pine, done
and aripiprazole.

Uses of topiramateall seizures except absence.

Migraine prophylaxis
Obesity
Smoking
Alcohol addiction
Mnemonic: MOSA
Uses of antipsychotic drugs
AntiAntiemetic property
Psypsychosis
Chochorea (Huntingtons chorea)
TicTic disorder like Gille de La Tourette syndrome
Agonist ()antagonist ()
PPentazocine
NNelbuphine
DDezocine
Partial agonistBuprenorphine, Butorphenol.
Mnemonic: 2B
Drugs inhibiting cell wall
FirmlyFosfomycin
Bind toBacitracin
Bacterial lactum
CellCycloserine
WallVancomycin
 Pharmacology 61

Note: lactum antibioticsPenicillins

Cephalosporins
Carbapenems
Monobactum
Penicillinase inhibitor or lactumase inhibitor
CClavulanic acidwith amoxicillin
SSulbactumwith ampicillin
TTazobactumwith piperacillin
Uses of penicillin G
LListeria
AActinomyces
SSyphilis
TTetanus
MMeningococcus
AnAnthrax
GoGonococcus (drug of choice is ceftriaxone)
Mnemonic: A men act on the list of gone sipohi
No lactum is effective against MRSA except 5th generation
cephalosporin.
1st generation cephalosporin
Cefazolin
Cefalexin
Cefadroxil
Cefalothin
Cefaloridine
Mnemonic: Cefa
Exception: Cefaclor is 2nd generation.
4th generation cephalosporin
Cefepime
Cefpirome
5th generation cephalosporin
Ceftaroline
Ceftibiprole
Mnemonic: rol
 62 Mnemonics

Cephalosporins secreted by bile

Ceftriaxone
Cefoperazone
Mnemonic: Bile per try
Cephalosporins effective against pseudomonas
Cefepime
Cefepirome
Cefoperazone
Ceftazidime
Mnemonic: 3P and ziddi
Cefoperazone
Secreted by bile
Effective against pseudomonas
Disulfiram like reaction
hypoprothrombinemia
Mechanism of action of tetracyclineprevents tRNA to bind
to A site.
Mnemonic: T for T
Antimicrobial drug preventing translocation
MMacrolides
CClindamycin
QQuinapristin
Buy AT 30S
SELL @ 50S
AT Aminoglycoside
Tetracycline
SELL Streptogramin (Quinapristine)
Erythromycin (Macrolides)
Linezolid
Lincosamide
Uses of tetracycline
SSIADH
RRickettsial infection
 Pharmacology 63

IInguinale granuloma
LLymphogranuloma venerum
AAtypical
NpNeumonia
CCholera
AAmoebiasis
Tetracyclinescontraindications and adverse effects
Kcontraindicated in Kidney failure
AAntianabolic action
PPhototoxicity
IInsipidusDI
LLiver failure is C/I
DDentalaffects growing bone and teeth. C/I in pregnancy
and child < 8 years.
EExpiry datecauses Fanconi syndrome after expiry date
VVestibular dysfunction
Macrolides is the drug of choice for
CChancroid
LLegionella
AAtypical pneumonia
PPertussis
Can also be used for
CCorynebacterium diphtheria
HHaemophilus influenzae
AAtypical mycobacteria
TToxoplasmosis
Side effects of macrolides
MMotilin receptor stimulation
AAllergy
CCholestatic jaundice
RReversible
OOtotoxicity
Note: Vancomycin and aminoglycosides cause irreversible
ototoxicity.
 64 Mnemonics

Aminoglycoside
Neomycin Most nephrotoxic
Most neuromuscular blockade
Used only topically
After neomycin,
Gentamycin is most nephrotoxic
Mnemonic: G affects GFR
Streptomycin affects neuromuscular blockade
Mnemonic: S affects Skeletal muscle
Note: Maximum hearing lossAmikacin

Mnemonic: A affects auditory

Maximum vestibular damageStreptomycin
Side effects of Sulfonamide
AAplastic anemia
BBilirubiun displacementKernicterus
CCrystalluria
RRash
AAcetylation
SSLE
HHemolysis in G6PD deficiency
PyrimethamineAntiparasite
Mnemonic: P for P
MethotrexateAnticancer
Mnemonic: M for M
TrimethoprimAntibacterial
Fluoroquinolones are contraindicated in renal failure except
PPefloxacin
MMoxifloxacin
TTrovafloxacin
Respiratory flouroquinolonescan kill any bacteria causing
respiratory tract infection
OOfloxacin and levofloxacin
MMoxifloxacin
GGemifloxacin
 Pharmacology 65

GatifloxacinGlucosewithdrawn because it causes

hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
Mnemonic: G for G
Multibacillary leprosytreatment
OCDOnce daily Clofazimine (50 mg) and Dapsone (100 mg)
RCMRifampicin (600 mg) and Clofazimine (300 mg)
Note: Monthly dose are supervised.
Paucibacillary leprosyTreatment -????
Bactericidal drugs lactum
Aminoglycoside
Flouroquinolones
Vancomycin
Fast acting antimalarial drugs
MMefloquine
AAtovaquine
CChloroquine
HHalofantrine, lumefantrine
AArtemisin group
RRes Q (Quinine)
Slow acting
Proguanil
Pyrimethamine
Sulphadoxine
Tetracycline
FluconazoleDOC for Candida, Cryptococcus
Mnemonic: Flue can treat cry
Note: Fluconazole is also the DOC for prophylaxis of febrile
neutropenia in immunosuppressants.
TerbinafineDOC for dermatophytosis.
PosaconazoleDOC for mucormycosis
VoriconazoleDOC for invasive aspergillosis, treatment of
febrile neutropenia.
ItraconazoleDOC for all non-serious fungal infection
except Candida and Cryptococcus.
 66 Mnemonics

Hepatitis B DOCEntecavir
Alternate drugs oral
Lamivudine
Emtricitabine
Tenofovir
Injectable
Interferon
NRTI used in hepatitis B
LLamivudine
EEmtricitabine
TTenofovir
Hepatitis CDOCInterferon and ribavarin
NNRTI1st generation
EEfavirenz
NNevirapine
DDelaviridine
2nd generation
Etravirine
Rilpivirine
Metronidazole is DOC for
GGiardiasis
UUlcerpeptic ulcer
PPseudomembranous colitis
TTrichomoniasis
AAnaerobic bacterial infection
GGardenella vaginalis (bacterial vaginosis)
Antihelminthic drugs
PlatyhelminthsFlukes and tapewormDOCPraziquentel.
Mnemonic: P for P
NemathelminthesDOCAlbendazole
Exceptions to platyhelminthes
Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica)
Dog tapeworm (Echinococcus)
 Pharmacology 67

Exceptions to Nemathelminthes
FilariaDOCDEC
StrongyloidesDOCIvermectin
Onchocerca (river blindness)DOCIvermectin
Mnemonic: iver for river
Pulsatile GnRH is indicated in
CCryptoorchidism
HHypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
AAnovulatory infertility
NuNdescended testis
DDelayed puberty
Note: Continuous GnRH is indicated in
Precocious puberty
Cancer like breast carcinoma, prostate carcinoma
Endometriosis
Fibroid liomyoma (symptomatically)

GnRH agonist
LeuprolideFirst drug
Gonadorelin
NafarelinNasally
Mnemonic: N for N
Gosarelin
Busurelin
Histarelin
GnRH antagonistrelix
Cetrorelix
Ganirelix
Abarelix
Degarelix
Mnemonic: X means cross means antagonist
Thyroid inhibitors
Peripheral conversion inhibitors 5 deiodinase inhibitors
Propylthiouracil
 68 Mnemonics

Propranolol
Prednisolone
Mnemonic: 3P
Metforminused for Obese patient
Sulfonylureaused for Thin patient
Mnemonic: MOST
PTH causes partiality
Increases serum Ca2+
Decreases serum phosphate

Note: Vitamin D decreases both while calcitonin increases

both.

Tamoxifen is a SERM and has beneficial action on

Boneincreases formation
Blooddecreases LDL, increases HDL
Breastdecreases risk of carcinoma

Note: Doloxifen and Toremifen has similar action.

Raloxifenonly unfavorable action is thromboembolism.

Thromboxane A2aggregate platelets

Mnemonic: A for A
Prostaglandin I2Inhibits aggregation of platelets
Mnemonic: I for I

Uses of colchicine
GGout
CCirrhosis
MAcute Mediterranean fever
SSarcoidosis
Acute gout
NNSAIDS
CColchicine
CCorticosteroids
 Pharmacology 69

Indications of chloroquine
RRA
EExtraintestinal amoebiasis
DDLE
LLepra reaction
IInfectious mononucleosis
PPhotogenic reactions
MalaMalaria
GGiardiasis
AnakinraIL 1 receptor antagonist.
Mnemonic: A1
Oprelvekin is IL 11 used in anticancer drug induced thrombo-
cytopenia.
Mnemonic: Eleven kin
Ticlopedine causes thrombocytopenia
Mnemonic: T for T
Side effects of heparin
AAlopecia
BBleeding
HHyperkalemia
OOsteoporosis
TThrombocytopenia
Mast cell stabilizers
KKetotifen
NNedocromil
SSodium cromoglycate
Busulfanside effects
SSkin pigmentation
UUric acid increased
LFLung fibrosis
AAdrenal insufficiency
 70 Mnemonics

TOC for Hodgkins lymphoma

Earlier:
MMechlorethamine
OOncovin (Vincristine)
PPrednisolone
PProcarbazine
Now preferred:
AAdriamycin/Doxorubicin
BBleomycin
VVinblastin
DDacarbazine
TOC for NHL
CCyclophosphamide
HHydroxydaunorubicin/Doxorubicin
OOncovin/Vincristine
PPrednisolone
+/ RRituximab
TOC for colorectal carcinoma
FOLFOX or FOLFIRI
FOLFolinic acid
F5FU
OXOxaliplatin or
IRIIrinotecan
Uses of methotrexate
CChoriocarcinoma
AAbortion
NNHL
CCrohns disease
EEctopic pregnancy
RRA
Etoposide is used in
TTesticular carcinoma
OOat cell carcinoma
PProstate carcinoma
 Pharmacology 71

Side effects of cytotoxic drugs

BBone marrow suppression
AAlopecia
DDiarrhea
HHyperuricemia
Hypolipidemic drugsbile acid binding agent
Cholestyramine
Cholestipol
Cholesevalam
Mnemonic: Chole
Ketamine
KKids. Induction agent of choice in children.
EEmergency reaction
TThalamocortical junction is site of action causing dissociative
anesthesia
AAnalgesia (profound)
MMealscan be given after meals
IIncrease all pressures (BP, IOP, ICP)
NNMDA receptor blocker of glutamate
EExcellent bronchodilatorpreferred in asthamatics.
 5
Microbiology

Class I MHC molecules: CD8 T cells 1 8 = 8

Class II MHC molecules: CD4 T cells 2 4 = 8
Peptide binding site on Class IMHC molecules is located in a
groove between distal domains of subunits (between 1 and
2 domains)

Mnemonic: 1d
Mechanism of resistance
Production of -lactamase: Both gram +ve and gram ve
Alteration in PBP: Gram-positive
Impaired permeability: Gram-negative
Mnemonic: Beta both
PBP: Positive (2P is positive)
Hepatitis virus
Hep A Hep B Hep C Hep D Hep E Hep G
Picorna Hepa DNA Flavivirus Incomplete Calcivirus Calcivirus
Mnemonic: PH FICC (Pic of Hema Fall In Class)
Dengue hemorrhagic fever
Serotype 1 followed by serotype 2 is more dangerous than
Serotype 4 followed by:
Serotype 2
Mnemonic: 12 > 42
Also remember: Serotype 2 is more dangerous than other
serotypes.
Lysogenic conversion
Salmonella typhi
72
 Microbiology 73

Clostridium botulinum
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Mnemonic: Salmon bottles corn for lysogeny
Nuclear inclusion bodies
Cowdry type A: Herpesvirus
Yellow fever virus
Mnemonic: HAY
Cowdry type B: Adenovirus
Poliovirus
Mnemonic: BAP
Methods for sterilization of endoscopes
Rigid endoscope
Autoclave
Mnemonic: RiA
Flexible endoscope
Glutaraldehyde peracetic acid (20% cidex)
Mnemonic: EFG
Dimorphic fungi
Penicillium marneffei
Blastomyces
Histoplasma capsulatum
Paracoccidiomyces
Candida albicans (not other Candida)
Sporothrix
Mnemonic: Dimorphic Penicillin Blast his Paras albi spores
Culture media for isolation of Leptospira
Korthof medium
EMJH medium
Fletcher medium
Stuart medium
Mnemonic: KEFS
Man is the definitive host in most of the parasitic infections
except the following parasites where it is an intermediate host
Hydatid worm (Echinococcus granulosus)
Malaria (Plasmodium)
 74 Mnemonics

Taenia solium (both definitive and intermediate host)

Toxoplasma gondii
Sarcocystis lindemanii
Mnemonic: HMT goli
Parasites malabsorption
Common to adults and children:
Entamoeba histolytica
Giardia lamblial
Hymenolepis nana
Mnemonic: EGH
Only adults
Strongyloides
Cyclospora
Mnemonic: Strong Cycle of adults
Only Children: Ancylostoma duodenale
Isospora belli
Cryptosporidium
Mnemonic: An Iso Cry of Children
Antigenantibody reaction
Ascending part: Prozone or zone of antibody excess
Peakzone of equivalence
Descending partpost zone or zone of antigen excess
Mnemonic: A Probe
Oocyst size of acid fast parasites causing malabsorption
Cryptosporidium5 m
Cyclospora10 m
Isospora25 m
(Alphabetically arranged, size increases)
Parasite causing autoinfection
Mnemonic: Strong Heman cryptically enters Philippines for
Taenia solium auto infection.
Strongyloides stercoralis
Hymenolepis nana
Cryptosporidium parvum
Enterobius vermicularis
 Microbiology 75

Capillaria Philippinensis
Taenia solium
Worms that do not multiply in host.
Ancylostoma duodenale
Enterobius vermicularis
Wuchereria bancrofti
Mnemonic: Duodenum bans entry and multiplication
Also remember
Worms that crawl out
Enterobius vermicularis
T. saginata
Mnemonic: Crawling entry of saginata
Microaerophilic bacteria
Helicobacter pylori
Borrelia burgdorferi
Campylobacter
Mnemonic: Hell Boy in Micro Camp
Viruses associated with blood transfusion
Parvovirus B-19
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis G
HIV type 1
HTLV type 1
Cytomegalovirus
Mnemonic: 19 BCG transfuses type 1 of Cytomegalovirus
Transport media for Vibrio cholerae
Venkatraman Ramkrishnan (VR) media
Alkaline peptone water
Monsurs taurocholate tellurite peptone water
Mnemonic: Venkat transport Alkaline water to Maissur
Obligate intracellular parasite
Virus
Chlamydia
Rickettsiae
 76 Mnemonics

Legionella
Mnemonic: VCRL (Viru Chalne ke liye Rickshaw lega)
Selective media in which substances that inhibit or poison all
but a few microorganisms are added to a solid media (S for S).
Enrichment media are produced by adding selective
substances to liquid media.
Enriched media are basal media enriched with blood, serum
or egg.
Classification of streptococci: Hemolytic (P) streptococci are
classified by Lancefield classificationbased on nature of a
carbohydrate C antigen (Group A to K without I and J)
Griffith typingM Protein
Mnemonic: GMP
01 Vibrio cholerae
Classical: Polymixin, Phage 4
Mnemonic: Polyphagic class
Eltor: Eltor, chick embryo
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex
No environmental source
M. tuberculosis
M. bovis
M. africanum
M. microti
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
(Atypical mycobacteria)
Environmental source is postulated
M. avium intracellulare complex
M. kansasii
Mnemonic: Kans ka avium in atypical environment
Enteropathogenic E.coli or Enteroadhesive E. coliattaches
intimately to enterocyte membrane, Infants and Children,
Epidemic
Mnemonic: Infant attaches ad for epidemic in Patho.
Enterotoxigenic E.coli: Travellers diarrhea
Mnemonic: T for TProduces enterotoxin (Labile/Stable)
 Microbiology 77

Enteroaggregated E.coli: Persistent diarrheaheat stable

enterotoxin EAST I
Mnemonic: Aggregate persists
Enteroinvasive resembles shigellosis
Detected by Sereny tests, penetration of the Hela and Hep2
cells.
Mnemonic: H2 S2 invades
Leptospira: Three Rs
Rat, Rice, Rainfield.
Treponema palladium, Syphilis
endemicum: Bejel
Mnemonic: Bend
Pertunae: Yaws (Mnemonic: Ytune)
Caratium: Pinta (Mnemonic: Pintu ki Car)
Chlamydia trachomatis
Serotype A, B, Ba, C: Endemic blinding trachoma
Serotype DK: Inclusion conjunctivitis, genital chlamydiasis,
Infant pneumonia
Mnemonic: IGI
Serotype L1, L2, L3: Lymphogranuloma venereum
Mnemonic: L for L
Immunoglobulin IgG IgA IgM IgD IgE
Percentage of 7585% 715 510 0.3 0.019
total serum Ig
Serum half-life days 23 6 5 3 2.5
Mnemonic: In decreasing order GAMDE
Classical complement activation: IgM and IgG (Mnemonic:
Mahatma Gandhi Classical)
Alternate complement activation: IgA
Mnemonic: A for A
Ig present in milk: IgA and IgG (Mnemonic: AG in milk)
Epitope: Antigen
Paratope: Antibody
Toxin acting by inhibiting protein synthesis
Shiga toxin
 78 Mnemonics

Pseudomonas toxin
Diphtheria toxin
Mnemonic: Antiprotein ships dip
p-pilli are pyelonephritis associated pilli that are found on
uropathic strains of
E. coli.
Mnemonic: P for P
Gram-positive coccobacilli: Listeria
Gram-negative coccobacilli: Bordetella
Brucella
Campylobacter
Chlamydia
Helicobacter
Haemophilus
Rickettsia
Mnemonic: BCHR
Bacteria acquiring characteristics
Transformation (free DNA soluble DNA): Pneumococcus
Bacillus
Haemophilus
Mnemonic: BPH/PnBaha
Transduction (bacteriophage): Method of genetic engineering
T/t of inborn errors of metabolism
Mnemonic: DIG
Conjugation (actual physical contact): Episomes and plasmids
for resistance.
Lysogenic conversion (phage DNA itself is new genetic
element)
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Salmonella typhi
Clostridium botulinum
Thymus dependent tissues (collection of T-lymphocytes)
Spleen: Malpighian corpuscle in white pulp (periarterial)
Lymph node: Paracortical area between follicles in cortex and
medullary cords in medulla
Mnemonic: Para Mal dependent
Bursa dependent (collection of B-lymphocytes)
 Microbiology 79

(Thymus independent)
Spleen: Germinal centre
Mantle layer
Perifollicular region
Mnemonic: German Man around follicle are independent
Lymph nodes: Medullary cords
Cortical follicles
Germinal centres
Mnemonic: Medulla and cortex in Germany are also
independent
Property S. aureus S. epidermidis
Coagulase Positive Negative
Mannitol Ferments Non-fermenting
Pathogenicity Pathogenic Non-pathogenic
Susceptibility tests
Shick test: Diphtheria
Dick test: Scarlet fever
Mnemonic: S for D and D for S (opposite)
Spirochete: Borrelia
Leptospira
Treponema
Mnemonic: BLT (Balti in Hindi)
Combined immunodeficiency
SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency)def. of ADA
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
Ataxia-telangiectasia
Nezelof syndrome
Mnemonic: SWAN
Defective Phagocytosis
Chronic granulomatous disease (def. of NADPH oxidase)
Chediak-Higashi syndrome
Myeloperoxidase def.
Jobs syndrome
Two pigments produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pyocyanine: Bluish green pigment
Mnemonic: BC
Pyoverdin (fluorescein): Greenish yellow pigment
 80 Mnemonics

Visceral larva migrainsToxocara canis

Cutaneous larva migrains
AAncylostoma duodenale
NNecator americanus
SStrongyloides stercoralis
Human is the dead end host for
LLeptospirosis
TTetanus
TTaenia solinum
EEndemic typhus
JapanJapanese encephalitis
LLegionella
EEchinococcus, trichinella
HHuman rabies
 6
Pathology

Characteristic features of Staphylococcus pneumoniae

Pneumatocele (thin walled cystic spaces that may contain air
fluid levels)
Pleural effusion
Pyopneumothorax (bronchopleural fistula)
Abscess formation
Cavitation (single or multiple thick-walled cavities) (may be
bilateral)
Empyema
Mnemonic: 3P and ACE
Actin: AD FSGS
CD2AP: Adult proteinuria
Steroid sensitive: NPHS I-Nephrin-19q. Finish congenital
nephrotic syndrome
Steroid resistant: NPHS 2-Podocin-lq: AR acquired FSGS
Mnemonic: 2R-lq-AP
Type III (pauci immune) RPGN
ANCA small vessel vasculitis
Wegeners granulomatosis
Microscopic polyangiitis
Churg-Strauss syndrome
Mnemonic: WMC
Cox 1 Constitutive
Cox 2 Inducible
Large vessel vasculitis
Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis)
Takayasu arteritis
81
 82 Mnemonics

Cogan syndrome
Mnemonic: Large giant taka of cogan
Medium vessel vasculitis
PAN
Kawasaki disease
Buergers disease
Mnemonic: Pan per kabab aur burger)
DNA repair defects
HNPCC (mismatch repair): Colon ca.
Bloom syndrome: Developmental defects
Fanconi anaemia: Bone marrow aplasia
Ataxia-telangiectasia: Neural symptoms
Xeroderma pigmentosa (nucleotide excision repair)skin ca.
Mnemonic: HB FAX
Bcl-1: Mantle cell lymphoma
Bcl-2: Follicular lymphoma
Bcl-6: Burkitt lymphoma
Mnemonic: My favourite Band is Bcl-126
Diffuse large B cell lymphomaBcl-2 and Bcl-6
Mnemonic: D-26
HLA B27 is associated with
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Reactive arthritis/Reiters syndrome
Mnemonic: Juvenile PAIR at 27 yrs of age
Risk factors for atherosclesosis in decreasing order
Total cholesterol: HDLC
Apoprotein B 100: HDLC
LDL cholesterol: HDLC

Mnemonic: TBL ratio

H
Classification of hyperlipoproteinemias
Lipoproteins elevated
 Pathology 83

I: chylomicrons
IV: VLDL
V: (1+ 4 = 5)chylomicron and VLDL
III: (4 1 = 3)chylomicron and VLDL remnant
II: LDL (llaLDL, IIbLDL and VLDL)
Radical scavenging enzymes
Glutathion peroxidase
Catalase
Superoxide dismutase
Mnemonic: GCS
Note: Superoxide dismutase also generates free radicals
(H2 O2).
Amyloid proteins and their clinical settings
Transthyretin (ATTR)
Familial amyloidotic neuropathy
Mnemonic: FAT
Systemic senile amyloidosis
Mnemonic: SST
2 microglobulin (A2m): Hemodialysis associated amyloidosis
Mnemonic: Dial M for amyloid
2: amyloid protein (A): Alzheimers disease
Senile cerebral disease
Mnemonic: Sc and Ad
Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes are characteristic of
retinoblastoma
May also be seen in
Medulloblastoma and pineoblastoma
Mnemonic: Flexible RMP (All are blast)
Glomerulonephritis without proliferative changes
Minimal change disease
Amyloidosis
Membranous glomerulonephritis
Diabetic nephropathy
FSGS
Mnemonic: Minimum Amul for membranous Dia
 84 Mnemonics

Fibromatosis represent a group of fibrous benign or tumour-

like conditions
Deep fibromatosis: Desmoid tumors
Mnemonic: Deepa ka Des
Superficial fibromatosis
Palmar fibromatoses (Dupuytrens contracture)
Plantar fibromatoses
Penile fibromatoses (Peyronies disease)
Prader-Willi syndrome: Clinical features
Mental retardation
Diminished fetal activity
Hypotonia
Obesity
Short stature
Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
Mnemonic: Pradip MDHOSH

AngelmanWilli syndrome
Seizures
Hypotonia
Inappropriate laughter (Happy puppets)
Mental retardation
Ataxia
Mnemonic: Happy puppet SHIMA
Multiple myeloma
Dutcher bodiesnuclear
Mnemonic: Multiple nuclear Dutch
Russell bodies: Cytoplasmic (Mnemonic: Russell Crowe)
Moosers bodies: Endemic typhus
Mnemonic: Moosa is endemic
Miyagawa bodies: Chlamydia trachomatis
Mnemonic: Miya Kalam
Lafora bodies: Familial myoclonic epilepsy
Mnemonic: Lofar in Family
 Pathology 85

Pancytopenia with cellular bone marrow

Myelodysplastic syndrome
Myelofibrosis
Myelophthisis
Bone marrow lymphoma
Aleukemic leukemia
Hairy cell leukemia
Mnemonic: Cellular bone marrow M3 ka BAP hai
Cold antibody hemolytic anaemiausually IgM
Mnemonic: CM Class Mate
Proteins defective in hereditary spherocytosis
Ankyrin > protein 3 (anion transport channel) > -spectrin >
protein 4.2 (palladin)
Mnemonic: AP3 S P4.2
First memorize APSP
Then AP3SP
Then AP3 SP
Then AP3 SP4.2
Prader-Willi syndrome:
(Chromosome 15) Paternal deletion
Maternal imprinting
Maternal disomy
AngeIman syndrome: Maternal deletion
(Chromosome 15) Paternal imprinting
Paternal disomy
Mechanism of apoptosis
Caspase 9 (Nine): Intrinsic pathway
Mnemonic: In for In
Caspase 8 (Eight): Extrinsic pathway
Mnemonic: E for E
Histochemical staining of amyloid with Congo red observed
under ordinary lightpink red colour. Observed under
polarized light: Green birefringence
Mnemonic: PG
Genes regulating apoptosis
Anti-apoptotic Pro-apoptotic
 86 Mnemonics

bcl-2 bax
bcl-XL bad
bak
bim
bcl-xs
Mnemonic: L and LXL are anti-apoptotic
Chronic manifestations of splenectomy
Anisocytosis
Basophilic stippling
Howell-Jolly bodies (nuclear remnants)
Heinz bodies (denatured Hb)
Nucleated erythrocytes in peripheral blood, occasionally
Poikilocytosis
Howell-Jolly bodies occur most frequently after
Splenectomy
Megaloblastic anaemia
Severe hemolytic anaemia
Mnemonic: Jolly SMS
Inactivation of free radical reactions
Enzymes: Glutathione peroxidase
Catalase
Superoxide dismutase
Mnemonic: GCS
Non-enzymatic system: Endogenous/exogenous anti-oxidants
a. Vitamin E, vitamin C
b. Sulfhydryl containing compounds: glutathione, cysteine
c. Serum protein: Albumin
Ceruloplasmin
Transferrin
Mnemonic: EC GC ACT
Renal lesions in SLE (WHO classifications)
Class I: Normal by light, electron and immunofluorescent
microscopy
Class II: Mesangial lupus GN
(Mildest clinical variant proteinuria, microscopic hematuria
rare)
 Pathology 87

Class III: Focal proliferative GN

(Moderate, presents with proteinuria and hematuria)
Class IV: Diffuse proliferative GN
(Haematuria, nephrotic range proteinuria, mild to severe renal
failures)
Class V: Membranous GN
(Massive proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome)
Class VI: End stage of proliferative lupus nephritis
Mnemonic: No Money FD ME
Note: GNglomerulonephritis
Location of epitheloidTestis
Ovary (tunica)
Pancreas (Islet)
Mnemonic: TOP
Pathologically found in granuloma.
Antigen presenting cells (APC)
Professional (MHC II, GVHD)Dendritic cells
Langerhans cells
Follicular dendritic cells.
Mnemonic: DLF is Very professional
Non-professional (MHC I, graft rejection) Macrophages
B-lymphocytes
Glial cells
Endothelial cells
Thymic epithelial
cells.
Autosomal dominant (AD)
HHypercholesterolemia (familial)
Hereditary spherocytosis
Huntingtons chorea
EEhlers-Danlos syndrome
AAchondroplasia
Vvon Willebrands disease (type I and II)
YPseudohypoparathyroidism
DDystrophica myotonica
 88 Mnemonics

OOsteogenesis imperfect
MMarfans syndrome
IIntermittent porphyria
NNoonans syndrome
AAD PKD
NNF I and NF II
TTuberous sclerosis
Marfans syndrome
MMitral valve prolapse
AArachnodactyly (long fingers)
RRetinal detachment
FFibrillin I deficiency
Family history
AAscending aorta aneurysm
NNegative nitroprusside test
SSuperotemporal subluxation of lens
Neurofibromatosis I (17q)
NNeurofibroma
OOptic nerve glioma
SSphenoid dysplasia (most common skeletal deformity)
PPlexiform NF
Positive family history
AAxillary freckling
CCaf-au-lait spots
EEye (Lisch nodules on iris)
Neurofibromatosis II (22q)
MMultiple
IInherited
SSchwannoma
MMeningioma
EEpendymoma
Autosomal recessive
A Alkaptonuria
Albinism
BBeta thalassemia, sickle cell anemia
CCystic fibrosis
 Pathology 89

DDeafness (sensorineural)
EEmphysema (Panacinar-1 antitrypsin deficiency)
FFriedricks ataxia
GGauchers disease
HHurlers disease
Hemochromatosis
IInborn errors of metabolism
OthersNiemann-Picks disease
Tay-Sachs disease
Wilsons disease
X linked recessive
LessLesch-Nyhan syndrome
ChronicChronic granulomatous disease
HunterHunters disease
HemophilicHaemophila A and B
GirlsG6PD deficiency
DontDuchenne muscular dystrophy
Dents disease
ColorColor blindness
FragileFragile X syndrome
FabFabrys disease
BrutunBrutuns X linked agammaglobulinemia
WiselyWiskott-Aldrich syndrome
X linked dominant
Rat meRett syndrome (only seen in females)
CharCharcoat Mari tooth disease
PigIncontinenta pigmenti (only seen in females)
Airport peAlport syndrome
Phosphate kha raha thaX linked hypophosphatemic rickets
Mitochondrial inheritance
KKearns Sayre syndrome
LLebers hereditary optic neuropathy
MMERRF (myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibres)
MELAS (mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis
with stroke like syndrome)
NNARP (neurologic ataxia with retinitis pigmentosa)
 90 Mnemonics

OOphthalmoplegia (chronic external ophthalmoplegia)

PPearson syndrome
Multiple myeloma
Symptoms
CHypercalcemia
RRenal failure
AAnemia
BBone lytic lesion (on X-ray or bone scan)
ALL
Testicular infiltration
Mediastinal lymph node involvement
CNS infiltration
Mnemonic: TMC
Supravital stainsBrilliant cresyl blue
New methylene blue
Crystal violet
Mnemonic: BNC
Stain
Acidic Basic
Cytoplasm DNA
Warm antibodyIgG
Cold antibodyIgM
Mnemonic: Classmate
ExceptionPCH (Donath Landsteiner antibody)-IgG
Differential diagnosis of microcytic hypochromic anemia
Sideroblastic anemia
Iron deficiency anemia
Thalassemia
Anemia of chronic disease
Mnemonic: SITA
Migratory thrombophlebitis (Trousseau syndrome)
SStomach
LLung
 Pathology 91

AAdenocarcinoma
PPancreas
Mutation of p53 Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
It is the most common gene mutation causing human cancer.
SStomach cancer
BBreast cancer
BBrain cancer
AAdrenal cancer
LLung cancer (squamous cell carcinoma)
Mnemonic: SBBAL
Flea bitten kidney found in
WeWegeners granulomatosis
HateHSP
PPolyngitis
SSubacute endocarditis
MMalignant hypertension
Posterior fossa anomalies
Dandy-Walker syndromeDilatation of 4th ventricle because
of midline arachnoid cyst. Posterior fossa volume is increased.
Mnemonic: D for D. D is 4th letter
Arnold-Chiari malformationcerebellar herniation.
Myelin formation
CNSOligodendrocytes
PNSSchwanns cells.
Mnemonic: COPS
Serology in hepatitis B
sHbsAg
eHbeAg
canti HBc ab
eanti HBe ab
santi HBs ab
Note: c antigen lacks soluble surface receptor. So, do not
appear in serum.
 92 Mnemonics

Hepatitis D virus
Delta virus
Defective virus (HDV RNA)
Dependent (on HBV)
Causes of Mallory-Denk body
Indian childhood cirrhosis
Wilsons disease
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Alcoholism
1 anti-trypsin (AT) deficiency
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Mnemonic: Indian child wil have alcohol AT primary bill
Focal nodular hyperplasia
Females more commonly affected (ten times)
OCP use is associated
Asymptomatic
Single
Mnemonic: FOCAl
 7
Forensic Medicine and
Toxicology (FMT)

Mechanism of Injury caused by lightening flash as described

by Cooper and Andrews (1995)
Direct strike
Side flash
Step voltage
Sledge hammer effect (blunt trauma)
Surface arc discharges and touch voltage
Mnemonic: 5S
Also remember: Four factors of Spencer
Burning by superheated air
Sledge hammer and blow death by compress pushed before
the current
Direct effect of high voltage current
Effect of expanded and repelled air
Mnemonic: BCDE
Drug used for narcoanalysis (truth serum drugs)
Scopolamine
Sodium pentathal
Sodium amytal
Sodium seconal
Mnemonic: PAS Sodium and Scopolamine
Exception to general rule of professional secrecy
C Crime
I Infectious disease
V Venereal disease
I Interest (Self)
C Courts of Law
S Servants and employees

93
 94 Mnemonics

I Interest (Patients)
N Negligence suits notifiable disease.
CIVIC SIN InP.S .
Interest: Patients and self
Anti-cholinergic (atropine dhatura) poisoning
Dry as a bone (dryness of mouth and skin)
Red as a beet (flushed face)
Blind as a bat (dilated pupil)
Hot as a hare (hyperpyrexia)
Mad as a wet hen (delirium)
Or
Dryness of mouth and anus (i.e. constipation)
Dysphagia
Dilated pupils
Dry hot skin
Drunken gait
Delirium
Drowsiness
Death due to respiratory failure
Seminial stain is identified by UV light (physical methods)
Mnemonic: SUV
Constituents of a typical embalming solution
Formalin
Glycerin
Mnemonic: EFG
Methods of torture
suspension by the wrist: La bandera (Mnemonic: Wrist band)
Beating with the palm on both ears simultaneously
telephone
Mnemonic: We pickup telephone to ear
Hanging versus strangulation
Hanging features:
Stretched neck
Saliva (often runs out of mouth)
Seminal fluid at glands
Carotid artery damage may be seen
 Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (FMT) 95

Oblique ligature mark

Mnemonic: Hang SSS and CO
Fatty liver is found in
Phosphorus > arsenic > mercury poisoning
Mnemonic: Fatty PAM
Mercury poisoning: Diphtheritic colitis
Mnemonic: Mercury Dips in Cold
Clinical feature of chronic lead poisoningacute mani-
festations
Anemia (with punctate basophilia)
Burtonian line
Colic and constipation: First symptom to arouse suspicion of
lead poisoning
Drop of wrist and foot
Encephalopathy in children
Facial pallor: Earliest symptom
Genitourinary system: Menstrual disorders, abortions still-
births, degenerate off-springs and sterility.
Forensic tests to detect seminal stain
Acid phosphatase test
Barberio test
Creatine phosphatase test
ELISA test
Fluorescence test
Mnemonic: ABCEF
Fingerprint patterns
Loops 67%
Whorls 25%
Arches 67%
Composite 12%
Mnemonic: LWAC
Cephalic index
7074.9 Pure aryans
(Dolichocephalic) Aborigins
 96 Mnemonics

Negroes
Indians
Mnemonic: PANI in Doli
7579.9 Europeans
(Mesaticephalic) Chinese
Mnemonic: European in Chinese mess
8084.9 Mongols
(Brachicephalic) Oriental Asians
Native Americans
Mnemonic: MONA
Dolichocephalic Rectangular
Mesaticephalic Triangular
Brachicephalic Rounded
Mnemonic: DMB in increasing order
Screening tests for blood stains
Benzidine
Orthotoluidine
Leucomalachite green
Phenolphthalein
Note: All these works on the principle of Hb as peroxidase,
which in presence H2O2 turns odourless bases into coloured
salts.

Blood /urine alcohol levels

Alcohol dehydrogenase method (ADH method)
Breath analysis
Cavett method/Kozelka and Hinc method
Gas chromatographymost desirable for medicolegal
purpose
Mnemonic: ABC-GK
Snake venoms
Vasculotoxic Vipers (V for V)
Neurotoxic Cobra (Convulsion) (C for C)
Krait (paralysis)
Coral
Mnemonic: CKC
Myotoxic: Sea snake
 Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (FMT) 97

Gustafson method of age determination by inspection of

individual teeth:
Root transparency: Precise measurement
Root resorption
Attrition
Paradentosis
Secondary dentin formation
Cementum opposition
Mnemonic: TRAP SC
Harrison and Gilroy test: Antimony, barium, lead
Mnemonic: Anbale
Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS): Antimony, Copper,
barium
Mnemonic: Ancoba
Neutron activation analysis: Antimony, copper
Getters test is done for drowning. It estimates chloride content
of blood from both sides of the heart.
A difference of 25% in chloride content is considered.
Significant features seen
Fresh water drowning: Hemodilution
Lysis of RBC with liberation of potas-
sium
Chloride content of left side of heart
decreased
Salt water drowning : Hemoconcentration
RBCs are crenated
Chloride content of left side of heart
increased
Sign of death from typical drowning
Persistent profuse fine froth from the mouth and nose
Materials (that could be obtained from water only) grasped in
the hand
Fine typical froth from the air passage
Increased volume and edematous condition of the lungs.
Finding of diatoms in the tissues, especially brain and bone
marrow.
 98 Mnemonics

Permanent teeth Eruption time

First molar 67 years
Central incisor (68 years) 78 years
Lateral incisor 89 years
First premolar 911 years
Second premolar 1012 years
Canines (1112 years) 1113 years
Second molars 1214 years
Third molars 17 25 years
Magnans symptoms: Feeling as if grains of sago are lying
under skin
Feeling as if small insects (cocaine
bugs) are creeping on the skin.
It is seen in chronic cocaine poisoning.
Macewan sign: An indication of hydrocephalus in which
percussion of the skull generates a cracked pot sound.
Putrefaction is delayed after death due to poisoning by
Carbolic acid
Arsenic
Antimony
Nux Vomica (strychnine)
Zinc chloride
Mnemonic: CARAN Vomit Zinc to delay putrefaction
Dactylography (Galton system)Study of finger prints.
Mnemonic: DaGa
Poroscopy (Locards system)Study of number, sizes and
distribution of pores of sweat glands on ridges (used only
when a part of finger print is available).
Mnemonic: PoLo
PodogramStudy of foot print.
Cheiloscopy (queiloscopy)Study of lip prints.
Rugoscopy (palatoprints)Study of anterior part of palate.
Mnemonic: RuPa
White vitriolZinc sulphate
Blue vitriolCopper sulphate.
 8
Preventive and Social
Medicine (PSM)

World health report 2008 Primary health care: now more than
everthe report proposes four sets of reforms
Public policy reforms
Leadership reforms
Universal coverage reforms
Service delivery reforms
Mnemonic: PLUS
Eight essential components of primary health care (Alma-Ata
declaration)
Education concerning prevailing health problems and
methods of preventing and controlling them.
Prevention and control of locally endemic diseases
Immunization against major infection diseases
Maternal and child health care including family planning
Essential drugs provisions
Promotion of food supply and proper nutrition
Treatment of common diseases and injuries
Adequate supply of safe water and sanitation.
Mnemonic: ELIMENTS
Ratio: Prevalence
Standardised mortality ratio
Case fatality ratio
Mnemonic: PSC (Public Service Commission)
National health policy 2002
2005Polio, leprosy and yaws
Mnemonic: POLY
2015 (fifteen) filaria.
Mnemonic: f for f
99
 100 Mnemonics

lMCIfive major illnesses

Diarrhoea
Respiratory tract infection (including otitis media)
Malaria
Measles
Malnutrition
Mnemonic: DRM3
Chemoprophylaxis
Plague: Tetracycline
Cholera: Tetracycline
Mnemonic: PCT
Influenza A: Amantadine
Bacterial conjunctivitis
Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
Diphtheria: Erythromycin
pertussis: Erythromycin
Mnemonic: BCDEP
National programme for control of blindness 2001:Target
diseases under vision 2020 (India)
Refractive errors and low vision
Cataract
Childhood blindness
Trachoma
Diabetic retinopathy
Corneal blindness
Glaucoma
Mnemonic: Refree Catch Track of DCG of India
Vision 2020WHO, Geneva, 1999
5 major blinding diseases
Refractive errors and low vision
Cataract
Childhood blindness
Onchocerciasis (River blindness)
Trachoma
Mnemonic: Refree Catch river track of WHO.
Arthropod Borne diseases
Aedes Dengue haemorrhagic fever, dengue
 Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) 101

Rift valley fever

Chikungunya fever
Yellow fever
Mnemonic: DARCY
Culex Japanese encephalitis
Bancroftian filariasis
West nile fever
Viral arthritis
Mnemonic: Japan Ban West Virus for culex
Sandfly Kala-azar
Oriental sore
Oraya fever
Sandfly fever
Mnemonic: KOOS
Louse Pediculosis
Epidemic typhus
Relapsing fever
Trench fever
Mnemonic: LEPRT
Rat flea Bubonic plague
Endemic typhus
Chiggerosis
Hymenolepsis diminuta
Mnemonic: Rat on BEnCH
Trombiculid mite Scrub typhus
Rickettsial pox
Mnemonic: SR Mite
Lepromin test
Early reaction: Fernandez reaction (48 hours reading > 10 mm
area of redness.
Mnemonic: EF
Late Mitsuda reaction (21 days nodule > 5 mm)
Breeding habits of mosquitoes
Alphabetically
Aedes: Artificial water
Mnemonic: A for A
 102 Mnemonics

Anopheles: Clean water

Mnemonic: Clean Anna
Culex: Dirty water
Mnemonic: CD
Mansonioides: Plant (vegetation) water
Mnemonic: Plant Man
Biological transmission of arthropod-borne diseases
Propagative: Plague bacilli in rat flea.
Mnemonic: P for P
Cyclopropagative: Malarial parasites in mosquito
Mnemonic: CPM
Cyclodevelopmental: Filarial parasite in culex mosquito and
guinea worm embryo in cyclops.
Mnemonic: CDFG
Indian reference female: Approximate energy requirement
Light work1900
Moderate work2200 (i.e. + 300)
Heavy work2800 (i.e. + 600)
SAFE strategy for trachoma
Surgery
Correction of entropion and trichiasis
Mnemonic: ENT surgery
Chemoprophylaxis is given for
Meningococcal meningitis (rifampicin) My
Diphtheria Dear
Malaria (chloroquine) Mother
Pertussis Prepare
Conjunctivitis Cool
Influenza A (amantadine) Ice
Cholera Cream in
Tetanus (penicillin) Ten
Leprosy (dapsone) Litre
Pneumonic plague Pocket
 Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) 103

Parathion: Aryl phosphate

Mnemonic: R for R
Malathion: Alkyl phosphate
HDI
Knowledge
Income
Longevity (life expectancy at birth)
Mnemonic: KILO
BCG vaccine: Normal saline
Measles vaccine: Distill water
Mnemonic: MD
Types of data
Nominal data: No implication of order or ratio
Ordinal data: Meaningful order but interval connot be
measured
Interval data: Meaningful order, interval can be measured but
ratio of scores are not meaningful.
Ratio data: Meaningful order, interval can be measured and
ratio of scores are meaningful.
Mnemonic: NOIR
First two are qualitative data and last two are quantitative
data.
Mosquito control: Anti-adult measures
Residual spray: Malathion
OMS-33
Lindane
DDT
Mnemonic: MOLD
Space spray: Pyrethrum
Residual insecticide: Ultra low volume space spray (feni-
trothion, malathion)
Note: Malathion is not recommended as a larvicidal agent.

Pertussis component in DPT enhances the potency of

diphtheria toxoid.
 104 Mnemonics

Diphtheria toxoid increases the immunogenicity of Hib

vaccine.
Five cleans for control/prevention of neonatal tetanus
Clean blade
Clean cord care
Clean delivery surface
Clean hands
Clean tie for the cord
Mnemonic: BCD-HT
Factors determining sample size
Design of study
Accuracy of measurements
Precision (degree of) required
Plan of statistical analysis
Prevalence of disease in cohort study or ratio of case to
control in case control study
Mnemonic: DAS3P

Insect Rickettsial disease Agent Mnemonic

Vector
Louse Epidemic typhus R. prowazeki LEPRO
Louse Trench fever Rochalimaea Lottery Queen
quintana
Flea Endemic typhus R. typhi FLENTY
(Murine typhus)
Tick Rocky Mountain R. rickettsii TIMORI
spotted fever
Tick Indian tick typhus R. conorii TIINCON
Mite Rickettsial pox R. akari MIRIAKA
Mite Scrub typhus R. tsutsugamushi MISTSU

HIV screening ELISA

Rapid test
Simple test
i.e. ERS battery
Confirmatory testWestern blot (protein based)
 Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) 105

2 screening tests used in

Series Parallel
Sensitivity
Specificity
PPV
NPV
Mnemonic: P letter words in parallel
Disease controlreduction of transmission of any disease so
that it stops to be a public health problem.
It implies complication
duration of disease
financial burden
incidence
Mnemonic: CDFI
Index case1st case coming to the notice of investigator.
Mnemonic: I for I
Primary caseFirst case of a disease in a community.
Secondary caseAll cases who develop the disease from the
primary cases.
In India, index cases are usually secondary cases.
MUFAMaximum in groundnut (Moongfali).
RBSKRashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakarm
Target beneficiary018 years of age
Services Diseases
Deficiency
Disability and developmental delays
Defects
Mnemonic: 4D
RKSKRashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakarm
Adolescent1019 years
Components Clinics
Community
Communication
Content
 106 Mnemonics

Convergence
Coverage
Counseling
Mnemonic: 7C
Skewed distribution
Tail on Right side is Positive skewness.
Mean > Median > Mode.
Mnemonic: TRP
Type I errorNull hypothesis True and Rejected.
Mnemonic: NTR is no. 1
Type II errorNull hypothesis false and accepted.
P value = Probability of doing type I error.
maximum permissible limit of type I error (usually 5%)
probability of type II error
Note: Confidence level in a study = 1
Power of study = 1
For significant results, confidence level > 0.95 or 95%.
Parametric tests are used to compare mean and SD (standard
deviation) in
Paired data (1 group)Paired test (before and after)
Unpaired data of 2 groupsUnpaired test
Unpaired data of 3 or more groupsANOVA
Mnemonic: PUA
Non-parametric tests are used to compare percentage or
fraction in:
Sign testPaired data (1 group)
Chi-square testUnpaired data (2 or more groups)
Mnemonic: chai ki quality
Statistical graphs
Qualitative
Pictogram
Pie chart
 Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) 107

Bar chart
Map
Mnemonic: Pic pie bar map
Quantitative
Frequency polygon
Frequency curve
Line diagram
Line chart
Ogive (frequency cumulative curve)
Scatter diagram
Histogram
Mnemonic: (FL)2OSH
Hospital waste management
1Human anatomical waste
2Animal waste
3Microbiology and biotechnology
4Waste sharps
5Cytotoxic drugs and discarded medicines
6Solid waste (cotton/cloth)
7Solid waste (plastic/rubber)
8Liquid waste
9Incineration ash
10Chemical waste
Mnemonic: HAM Share drugs and SoSo LIC
Obesity
Best indicatorBody mass index = Weight in kg/(height in
meter)2.
Other indicators
Height in cmHundred = Brocas index.
Mnemonic: HHB
Corpulence index = Actual weight/Desired weight
Mnemonic: CAD
Ponderal index = Height/cube root of weight.
Mnemonic: Pin Hai CRoW
108 Mnemonics

Impact indicators of ASHA

IMRmajor
TB cases
Leprosy cases
PEM rates
Mnemonic: PITL
Focussed group discussion (FGD)612
Mnemonic: 6 is F
Panel discussion48
Lectureideal audience size < 40
Role play/socio drama < 25
SPIKESdone for cancer prognosis communication
SSet up interview
PPerception is assessed
IInvitation to explanation
KKnowledge
EEmotions
SSummary and strategy
Note: P- SPIKESfor Ca breast. P stands for protocol.

GATHER approach is used for contraceptive counseling in

RCH
GGreet the couple
AAsk the contraceptive requirement
TTell available methods
HHelp choose best methods
EExplain the usage of contraception
RReturn visit
Doctorpatient communication
3 levels Intellectual
Cultural
Emotional
 Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) 109

4 types Default
Paternalistic
Consumeristic
Mutualistic
Kuppuswamy scale is based on
Education
Income
Occupation
Mnemonic: EIO. All 3 are vowels
International health regulation 2005 guidelines of WHO
Diseases notifiable to WHO
Smallpox
SARS
Wild polio
Yellow fever
Plague
Human influenza
Cholera
Mnemonic: SSP Wild yellow PHC
NPCBsupported by World bank
Mnemonic: Blindness-Bank
RNTCPsupported by WHO
RCH (family planning)UN fund for population activity
Mnemonic: family-Fund
UNICEF
HQNew York.
Mnemonic: New Chef
GOBIFor reduction of under 5 mortality rate
Growth monitoring
ORS
Breast feeding
Immunization
110 Mnemonics

New additions Female education

Family planning
Food supplementation
WHO low osmolarity ORS
Sodium75 mmol/L
Glucose75 mmol/L
Chloride65 mmol/L
Potassium20 mmol/L
Citrate10 mmol/L
Total osmolality245
Mnemonic: SGCl PCi-75/75/65/20/10
Glucose13.5 gm
Trisodium citrate2.9 gm
NaCl2.6 gm
KCl1.5 gm
Total20.5 gm
Essential healthcare4A
Available
Acceptable
Accessible
Affordable
 9
Eye

Function of extraocular muscle

Superior oblique
Lateral (abduction)
Intorsion
Depression
Mnemonic: SOLID
Argyll Robertson pupil (ARP) (also called light near
dissociation)
Accommodation reaction present (ARP)
Pupillary reaction absent (ARP-PRA) (both direct and
consensual)
Seen in several conditions affecting midbrain (pretectal
nucleus)
RAPD (Marcus Gunn pupil) is most characteristic of lesion in
optic nerve
Mnemonic: Rapid Nervous Gun
Anterior surface of cornea has highest refractive power (2/3rd
of eyes refractive power)
Centre of lens has highest refractive index.
Mnemonic: COP (Cornea-Power)
Visual pathway and site of lesion
Optic nerve: Ipsilateral blindness
Proximal part of optic nerve: Ipsilateral blindness with
contralateral hemianopia or superior quadrantanopia
Central level of chiasma: Bitemporal hemianopia
Mnemonic: Hum Bite central Cheese
111
 112 Mnemonics

Optic tract: Homonymous hemianopia.

Temporal lobe: Quadrantopic homonymous defect
Mnemonic: Tample queen
Optic radiation: Homonymous hemianopia
Anteriorly in occipital cortex: Contralateral temporal
crescentic field defect
Occipital lobe: Homonymous hemianopia (usually sparing
the macula)
Mnemonic: HRTHomonymous hemianopia in optic
radiation and optic tract
Primordial tissue and derivatives
Surface ectoderm: Conjunctival epithelium
Corneal epithelium
Lacrimal glands
Tarsal glands
Lens
Various grades of visual defects
Low vision < 6/18 to 6/60 Cat 1
Economic blindness < 6/60 to 3/60Cat 2
Social blindness< 3/60 to 1/60Cat 3
Manifest blindness < 160 to only light perceptionCat 4
Absolute blindnessNo light perceptionCat 5
Mnemonic: LESMA-631 LN
Note: WHO grade: Low visionCat 1 and 2
BlindnessCat 3, 4 and 5
Causes of persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV)
Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13)
Norries disease
Walker Warburg syndrome
Mnemonic: Norries persistently walks to pataya
Visual pathway from retina to visual cortex
Ganglion cells: M (Magno cells)
lateral geniculate body: Magnocellular lamina
(lamina 1, 2)
 Eye 113

Visual cortex: Superficial layer 4C

Function: Movement, depth, location and flicker
Mnemonic: MSM
Vogt triad: Tuberous sclerosis and congenital glaucoma
Islet of Vogtpterygium
CMV retinitis occurs in HIV patients with < 50 CD4 T cells

Ophthalmoscopy
Indirect: Inverted, real, 5 times magnification, ora serrata is
seen
Mnemonic: I for I
Direct: Erect, virtual, 15 times magnification.
Medication for treatment of open angle glaucoma
Decrease in aqueous secretion: Beta blocker (timolol)
Clonidine congeners
(Brimonidine, Apraclonidine)
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
(Acetazolamide, Dorzolamide)
Mnemonic: ABCD
Increase in trabecular outflow: Pilocarpine (miotics)
Mnemonic: Tray Se Pilo
Increase in uveoscleral outflow: Prostaglandins (latanoprost)
Note: Only acetazolamide is oral, others mentioned are
topical.
Atropine is C/I in all types of glaucoma. Pilocarpine is also C/I
in uveitis
Bilateral subluxation of lens
Marfans syndrome: Downward and temporally (Harrison,
17th edition)
Homocysteinuria: Downward and nasally.
Most common ocular infection in AIDS patients CMV
MC cause of chorioretinitis in AIDS patientsCMV
MC ocular lesion in AIDS HIV microvasculopathy
(involving conjunctiva and retina)
MC ocular neoplasm in AIDSKaposi sarcoma
 114 Mnemonics

Earliest and most consistent finding in HIV retinopathy

cotton wool spots.
CMV retinitis occurs in HIV patients with < 50 CD4 T cells
Predisposing factors for sympathetic ophthalmitis
Injury
Incarceration of iris
Infection is absent
Mnemonic: 3I
Indication of LASIK surgerycriteria
Cornea should not be excessive flat or steep.
Central corneal thickness > 500 micron
Refraction must be stable for 18 months
Age > 18 years
Myopia 1 to 20 diopters
Mnemonic: CT RAM
Contraindication of LASIK
Diabetic retinopathy
Autoimmune disease
Dry eye
Monocular patient
Infections, e.g. conjunctivitis, keratitis
Glaucoma
Keratoconus
Poor endothelial cell count <1500
Thin cornea <450 micron
Mnemonic: DAD MIG KPT
Management of senile entropion
Bicks operation
Wobin, Jones and Rech operation (plication of inferior lid
retractors)
Modified Wheelers operation.
Weiss operation
Mnemonic: Bicks 3W
The extent of normal visual field with a 5 mm white color
object is
 Eye 115

Superiorly 50
Nasally 60
Inferiorly 70
Temporally 90
Mnemonic: SNIT (in increasing order)
Tonography is a non-invasive technique for determining the
facility of aqueous outflow.
Tonometry is measurement of intraocular pressure by an
instrument called tonometer, this process is called tonometry.
Protanomalous defective red color perception
Deuteranomalousdefective green color perception
Tritanomalousdefective blue color perception
Mnemonic: RGB
Superior oblique: IVth cranial nerve
Mnemonic: SO4
Lateral rectus: VIth cranial nerve
Mnemonic: LR6
Rest extraocular musclesIIIrd cranial nerve
Pupil in different conditions.
Acute conjunctivitis normal
Acute uveitis constricted/irregular
Acute congestive glaucoma dilated vertically oval
Retrobulbar neuritisnormal
Open angle glaucoma is characterised by the triad of
Typical visual field defects (earliest visual field defects in
glaucoma are small isolated paracentral scotomas between
2 and 10)
Raised intraocular pressure
Optic disc changes/cupping of disc (vertical cup/disc ratio
becomes greater than horizontal)
Mnemonic: VIC
Wernickes hemianopic pupillary reaction optic tract
lesion.
Marcus Gunn pupil optic nerve lesion
Argyll Robertson pupilPretectal neucleus involved
 116 Mnemonics

Mnemonic: ARP-Pre
Holmes Adie ciliary muscle involvement.
Congenital glaucoma (buphthalmos)characteristic triad of
symptoms
Blepharospasm
Photophobia
Lacrimation
Mnemonic: BPL
Signs: Mild proptosis
Enlarged cornea
Haabs stria (opacity due to rupture in Descemets
membrane)
Deep anterior chamber
Lens subluxation
Note: In megalocornea, eye is absolutely normal except for
the large cornea.

Fast or saccadic horizontal eye movements abducens

nucleus
(ipsilateral)PPRF (ipsilateral)contralateral frontal lobe
Mnemonic: F for F
Smooth/persuit eye movementParietal lobe
Mnemonic: P for P
Note: Cerebral structures determine when and where eye
move, while brainstem determine how they move.
Primary optic atrophy: It is caused by lesions affecting the
visual pathways from retrolaminar portion of the optic nerve
to the lateral geniculate body.
Causes
Hereditary optic neuropathy
Toxic and nutritional optic neuropathies
Traumatic optic atrophy
Retrobulbar neuritis
Compressive lesions (Tumors and aneurysms)
Mnemonic: HTN TRAT
 10
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)

Trotters triad
Mnemonic: CD 105
CD: Conductive deafness
10: Palatal paralysis due to involvement of CNX
5: Temporoparietal neuralgia due to ipsilateral involvement
of CNV
Endoscopic cordectomy: Classification by European laryngeal
society
Type I Subepithelial cordectomy
Type II Subligamental cordectomy
Type III Transmuscular cordectomy
Type IV Total Cordectomy
Mnemonic: ELMT (like element)
Extended cordectomy encompassing
Type IVa Contralateral fold
Type IVb arytenoids
Type IVcventricular fold
Type IVd subglottis
Mnemonic: CAVES
Structures fully developed at birth
Mastoid antrum
Auditory ossicles
Tympanic cavity
Internal ear structures
Mnemonic: MATI

117
 118 Mnemonics

Pathophysiology of Romberg test

Equilibrium (central postural control) is dependent on input
from three peripheral modalities:
Proprioception (joint position sense) carried in posterior
column of spinal cord.
Vision
Vestibular apparatus
Mnemonic: PVR Vision
Vestibular schwannoma/acoustic neuroma can arise from any
cranial nerve except optic and olfactory nerve because they
are myelinated by oligodendroglia rather than Schwann cells.
Syndromes associated with sensorineural deafness
Bartters syndrome
Alports syndrome
Distal renal tubular acidosis
Mnemonic: BAD
Siegels pneumatic speculum: Uses
To test mobility of tympanic membrane
To see magnified view of small perforation
To introduce medicine into middle ear
Fistula test for vestibular function.
Mnemonic: 3MF
Isshikis categorization of thyroplasty
Type 1 Medial displacement
Type 2 Lateral displacement
Type 3 Shortening (relaxation)female to male
Type 4 Lengthening (tensioning)male to female
(low to high pitch)
Mnemonic: Mela ka Shole
Weber test
Conductive deafnesslateralised to diseased ear
Sensorineural deafnesslateralised to better ear
Mnemonic: LCDLateralised in conductive deafness to
diseased ear
 Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) 119

Rinnies test:
Positive Rinnie AC > BCNormal person and
sensorineural deafness
Mnemonic: PoRi AB Normally Sensed
Menieres disease
Tinnitus (fluctuating)
Vertigo
Sensorineural hearing loss
Mnemonic: TVS
Fistula test: Induction of nystagmus (vertigo) by producing
pressure changes in the external canal, which are then
transmitted to the labyrinth.
Normal conditionnegative (as pressure cannot be
transmitted)
Positive in
Cholesteatoma
Surgically created window in the horizontal canal
(fenestration operation)
In abnormal opening:
In oval window (post stapedectomy fistula)
In round window (rupture of round window membrane)
False positive: Congenital syphilis
Menieres disease (Henneberts sign)
False negative: Cholesteatoma fills the site of fistula
Note: It is absent when labyrinth is dead.
Etiology
Malignant otitis externa Pseudomonas
Otitis externa Staphylococcus aureus
Otomycosis Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus,
Candida albicans
Otitis externa hemorrhagicaviral
Acute otitis media in paediatric age group
Streptococcus pneumoniae > H. influenzae > M.catarrhalis.
Waters (occipito mental)maxillary sinus (best seen)
Caldwells (occipito frontal)frontal sinus (best seen)
Mnemonic: Front OF Well
 120 Mnemonics

Neoplasm showing calcification:

Craniopharyngioma (75%)
Oligodendrogliomaglioma (50%)
Choroid plexus papilloma (25%)
Astrocytoma (posterior fossa tumor) (20%)
Meningioma (20%)
Ependymoma (unusual but if seen dense)
Mnemonic: CO CAME
Note: Most common cause of intracranial calcification is
pineal calcification.

Acute pancreatitisX-ray abdomen

Gasless abdomen
Colon cut off sign
Sentinel loop
Renal halo sign
Mnemonic: Halo GCS
Chronic pancreatitisERCP
Beaded appearance
String of pearls appearance
Chain of lake appearance
Rat tail stricture of CBD
Mnemonic: Be strong chained rat
Rasmussen aneurysmpulmonary artery
Mnemonic: PR
Physical quantity SI unit Non-SI unit
Radioactivity Becquerel (Bq) Curie
Absorbed dose Gray (Gy) Rad
Dose equivalent Sievert (Sv) Rem
Radiation exposure Columns/kg Roentegen

Mnemonic: ABC
Ab gray is red
Shiv and Ram are equivalent
Ex colonel Rungta
 Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) 121

Malampatti gradinginspection of oral cavity (for assessment

of difficult airway)
IFaucial pillars, soft palate, uvula
IIFaucial pillars, soft palate, uvula masked by base of tongue
IIIOnly soft palate
IVHard palate
Mnemonic: UMSH. Like Umesh
ASA physical status scale
(American Society of Anesthesiologist)
1Healthy patient
2Mild to moderate systemic disease
3Severe systemic disease
4Severe systemic disease that is Constant threat to life
5Moribund patient not expected to survive without surgery
6Declared brain dead patient whose organ is being
removed for donor purpose.
Mnemonic: HMS CMD
Facial artery
From cervical part: Submental
Tonsillar
Ascending palatine
Glandular (to lymph nodes and sub-
mandibular gland)
Mnemonic: STAG
From facial part: Superior labial
Inferior labial
Unnamed posterior branches
Lateral nasal
Mnemonic: SILa ko UP me LaNa
Developmental dysplasia of hip
DADAdduction to dislocateBarlow maneuver
RABAbduction to reduceOrtolani maneuver
Mnemonic: O rab
 11
Medicine

Bacterial pneumonias associated with cavitation

Staphylococcus
Klebsiella
Pseudomonas
Anaerobic bacteria
Mnemonic: Staph Klub main Pseudo Anna ka Cave
Bronchogenic carcinoma
Cavitatory variant : Squamous cell (most common)
Large cell
Mnemonic: Squat in Large Cavity
Central location: Squamous cell
Small cell
Mnemonic: SSC
Peripheral location: Adenocarcinoma
Large cell
Mnemonic: PAL
ARF: Prerenal versus intrinsic
Mnemonic: FRU Na+ is less in Pre-renal ARF
Fractional excretion of Na+(%) <1.
UNa+ PNa+
Renal failure index <1
Ucr Pcr
Urinary sodium concentration <10 mmol/L or < 20 mEq/L.
Coagulation factor def.treatment
II, V, X, VII and XIFFP
VIIIF VIII concentrate

122
 Medicine 123

IXF IX concentrate
Fibrinogen, XIIICryoprecipitate
Mnemonic: Cry in First and thirteenth
Paraneoplastic syndrome
Small cell (lung) Ca : Calcitonin
ACTH
ANF
AVP (vasopressin)
Gastrin releasing peptide
Mnemonic: Small CAG
Squamous cell CAPTH
Mnemonic: Squat Pith
Restless leg syndrome
Drugs causing it: Alcohol
Antipsychotics
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Caffeine
Mnemonic: ABC
Also remember: Common causes: Idiopathic/familial
Iron def. anaemia
Chronic renal failure
Bacteria associated with invasive diarrhoea
Plesiomonas Listeria monocytogenes
Aeromonas Yersinia pestis
Shigella Salmonella
Entero invasive E. coli
Mnemonic: PLAY SIS
Type of LKM antibodies
Anti-LKM 1 Chronic hepatitis C
Autoimmune hepatitis 2
Anti-LKM 2 Drug induced hepatitis
Anti-LKM 3 Chronic hepatitis D
Mnemonic: A1 C1 Dr2 D3
 124 Mnemonics

Reiters syndrome characteristic triad (found in one-third of

patients)
Reactive arthritis
Conjunctivitis
Urethritis
Mnemonic: RCU
Strawberry gingivitisWegeners granulomatosis
Strawberry tongueKawasaki disease
Strawberry vaginaTrichomonas
Temporal arteritis worsens on exposure to cold
Multiple sclerosis worsens on exposure to heat (Uthoffs)
Mnemonic: CT
Zona glomerulosamineralocorticoid
Zona fasciculataglucocorticoid
Zona reticularisSex steroid
Mnemonic: GFR-MGS
Normal peressure hydrocephalus triad
Dementia (mild to moderate)
Urinary incontinence
Ataxic or apractic gait
Mnemonic: NPH has DUA
Motor neuron disease
UMN and LMN: Amylotropic lateral sclerosis
UMN only: Primary lateral sclerosis
Mnemonic: Upper Primary or UPri
LMN only: Progressive spinal muscular atrophy (progressive
London or lower progressive)
Treatment of visceral leishmaniasis
First line
Pentavalent antimony
Sodium stibogluconate
Meglumine antimonate
Amphotericin B
 Medicine 125

Paromomycin
Pentamidine
Miltefosine
Mnemonic: SPAM
Cutaneous leishmaniasis
First line
Pentavalent antimony
Parenteral alternative
Amphotericin B
Pentamidine
Mucosal leishmaniasis
First line
Pentavalent antimony
Amphotericin B
Alternative
Pentamidine
Omphalocele
Chromosomal abnormalities
Congenital abnormalities (including cardiac and CNS)
Carnells pentalogy
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Mnemonic: 3 COMB
Hypoxic ischemia
Preterm infantsPeriventricular leucomalaciaspastic
diplegia
Mnemonic: Pre Peri dip
Term infantsSubcortical white matter and basal ganglia
status marmoratusSpastic quadriplegia
(Basal ganglia and thalamus)
Mnemonic: Term = 3 SQ
Modified Jones criteria for rheumatic fever
Major critera Carditis
Arthritis (migratory polyarthritis)
Sydenhams chorea
Subcutaneous nodules
Erythema marginatum
Mnemonic: CASSEt
 126 Mnemonics

HSP is characterized by a tetrad of

Purpura
Arthritis
Glomerulonephritis
Abdominal pain
Mnemonic: PAGlA
Renal papillary necrosis: Associated conditions
(underlying mechanism is ischaemia)
Diabetes mellitus
Obstruction of urinary tract with infection
Sickle cell disease
Analgesic abuse (aspirin)
Mnemonic: DOSA

Note: Alcohol also ca uses RPN.

Virchows triad for venous thrombosis

Hypercoagulability of blood
Injury to endothelium
Stasis of blood
Mnemonic: HIS
Nitroblue tetrazolium test is used for phagocytosis
Mnemonic: Phani
Framingham major criteria for congestive heart failure
PND
Neck vein distension
Rales
Positive hepatojugular reflux
Increased venous pressure (> 16 cm H2O)
Cardiomegaly
Acute pulmonary oedema, and
S3 gallop
Mnemonic: PNR PICASo
Burn-curling ulcer-duodenum
Mnemonic: BCD
 Medicine 127

Cushings ulcerStress ulcer

Mnemonic: S for S
Peripheral aneurysm Popliteal artery (70%)
Mnemonic: P for P
Central dot signCarolis disease
Mnemonic: C for C
Achalasia cardiaBirds beak appearance
Diffuse esophageal spasmCorkscrew esophagus
Mnemonic: AB-CD
Ca esophagusRat tail appearance (Mn: Carat)
Antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B is indicated in
HBsAg (+), HBeAg (), and HBV DNA high levels and ALT
elevated
Note: In above case, if HBeAg is ve, it is called precore-
mutant.
Viral hepatitisALT
Alcoholic hepatitisAST (S for Sharab)
Hypocellular bone marrow cytopenia
Starvation
Q fever
Legionnaires disease
Anorexia nervosa
Mycobacteria
Mnemonic: Starving QLAM is Hypo
C-ANCACytoplasmic proteinase 3 is the target antigen.
P-ANCAPerinuclear myeloperoxidase is the major target
antigen.
Mnemonic: CP-MP
Pontine syndromes
Ventral pontine syndrome Millard-Gubler syndrome
Mnemonic: VM
Lower dorsal pontine syndnomeFovilles syndrome
Mnemonic: FOLD
128 Mnemonics

Upper dorsal pontine syndromeRaymond-Cestan syndrome

Mnemonic: Ray UDP
Features of pontine stroke
Hyperpyrexia
Hyperhydrosis
Hyperventilation/Hyperapnoea (severe)
Quadriplegia and coma
Pin point pupil, occulocephalic manoeuvre/dolls head,
ocular blobbing
Decerebrate rigidity
Mnemonic: 4H + Quadriplegia + Ocular features +
Decerebrate rigidity
Damage to red nucleus causes contralateral involuntary
movements
Chorea
Athetosis
Tremor
Mnemonic: Red CAT
Benedikts syndromeIpsilateral oculomotor palsy +
contralateral involuntary movementchorea, athetosis,
tremor
Nothnagels syndromeIpsilateral oculomotor palsy +
contralateral cerebellar ataxia
Claudes syndrome = Benedikt + Nothnagel
LaurenceMoonBiedl syndrome
Autosomal recessive
Mental retardation
Obesity
Retinitis pigmentosa
Polydactyly
Hypogonadism
Mnemonic: MORPH
CNS tumours
Intra-axial Neuronal tumor
Astrocytoma (glioma)
Lymphoma
 Medicine 129

Mnemonic: NALy
Extra-axial Pituitary tumor
Schwannoma
Meningioma (dura based)
Mnemonic: PSM. Also, dura matter is a Meninge. (PSM is
extra-axial)
Contrast nephropathy is more common in individuals with
pre-existing
Metformin
Multiple myeloma
CRF (chronic renal failure)
CCF (congestive cardiac failure)
Diabetes mellitus
Dehydration (hypovolemia)
Mnemonic: (MCD)2
Obstructive lung disease versus restrictive lung diseases
In obstructive lung disease, vital capacity and FEVI/FVC
decrease, others remain normal (diffusion capacity), increases
(residual volumes) or normal to increases (total lung capactiy).
In restrictive lung disease, VC, RV,TLC, DLCO, all dec-
reases except FEVI/FVC which is normal to increase.
Obstructive lung disease
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiolitis
Cystic fibrosis
COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema)
Mnemonic: ABC
Lower motor neuron (LMN) palsy
Flaccidity (hypotonia)
Fasciculation
Flexor plantar
Individual muscle paralysis
Degeneration reaction
Atrophy (wasting) is marked (cardinal feature)
Mnemonic: 3FIDA
 130 Mnemonics

Upper motor neuron (UMN) palsy

Extensor plantar
Clonus
Clasp knife spasticity (hypertonia)
Group of muscles affected
Mnemonic: ECG
Note: Loss of superficial reflexes are found in both UMN
and LMN.
Wernickes encephalopathy
Triad of: Global confusion
Ophthalmoplegia (due to LR palsy)
Ataxia
Mnemonic: GOA
Seven adverse prognostic factors for Hodgkins disease
Leukocytosis with WBC > 15,000
Serum albumin level < 4 g/dl
Lymphocytopenia with either one
Absolute lymphocyte count < 6000/ml
Stage IV disease
Hb < 10.5 g/dl
Age > 45 years
Male
Lymphocytes < 8% of WBC
Mnemonic: LAL SHAMA
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
Decreased renal function
Disturbed neurological function
Thrombocytopenia
Fever
Microangiopathic hemolytic anaemia
Pathognomonic of TTPpentad + normal coagulation tests
Mnemonic: RNT Fever in MAHA, TTP
Jodbasedow diseaseiodine induced hyperthyroidism
Caused by: Diet
Radiographic contrast material
Iodine containing drug like amiodarone
 Medicine 131

Wolff-Chaikoff effectiodine dependent transient sup-

pression of thyroid. Prevents iodide organification.
Mnemonic: Wolf are decreasing
Wegeners granulomatosis
Characteristic triad of
Upper respiratory tract infection
Lower respiratory tract infection
Renal involvement
Mnemonic: ULR
ATP 7BChromosome 13Wilms disease
ATP 7A diseasekinky hair disease.
Pure motor neuropathies
Hereditary spinal muscular atrophy
Lower motor neuron form of amylotropic lateral sclerosis
Lambert-Eaton myaesthenic syndrome
Poliomyelitis
Lead intoxication
Dapsone intoxication
Adult variant of hexosaminidase deficiency
Acute intermittent porphyria (occasionally)
Tick bite paralysis
Mnemonic: Here, a lamba and lower pole is leading dapsone
to adult variant of porphyria by the tick bite
Malignant melanomaClark level.
I Restricted to epidermis
II Invading papillary dermis
III Impinging reticular dermis
IV Invading reticular dermis
V Invading subcutaneous tissue
Mnemonic: EPRRS
Impinges before invasion
MEN2A (Sipple)
MTC
 132 Mnemonics

Pheochromocytoma
Parathyroid hyperplasia or adenoma
Cutaneous lichen amyloidosis
Hirschsprungs disease
FMTC
Mnemonic: MP ke Para main FM se Clah
MEN2B
MTC
Mucosal and gastrointestinal neuromas
Marfanoid features
Pheochromocytoma
Mnemonic: 2MP
Noonans syndrome versus Turners syndrome
Noonans syndrome
Autosomal dominant (seen in both sexes)
Pectus carinatum/pectus excavatum
Cardiac defectpulmonary stenosis, HOCM, ASD
Mental retardation.
Mnemonic: Ad PCM at Noon
Turner syndrome
Phenotypically females only
Broad chest with widely spread nipples.
Coarctation of aorta
Bicuspid aortic valve
Short fourth metacarpal
Mnemonic: Turn broad, CoBi to short.
Metabolic acidosis
Normal anion gap
Fistula
Cholera
Mineralocorticoid deficiency
Ureterosigmoidostomy
Diarrhoea
Renal tubular acidosis
 Medicine 133

Ammonium chloride ingestion

Mnemonic: FC MUDRA
Increased anion gap
Ketoacidosis
Exogenous substance
Renal failure
Lactic acidosis
Mnemonic: KERL
Lactic acidosis (shock, cardiopulmonary arrest, severe
anaemia, carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning)
Ketoacidosis (Diabetics, alcoholics, starvation)
Mnemonic: DAS
Exogenous substances (Ethylene glycol, methanol, salicylates)
Mnemonic: EMS
Amount of sodium bicarbonate given in metabolic acidosis is
= 1/2 body weight
(kg) [Desired HCO3 measured HCO3]
Half of this quantity should be administered within first hr.
Desired HCO3
= 25 mEq/L.
Acute pericarditisafter several days T waves become
inverted but this occurs only when ST segments return to
baseline.
Acute myocardial infarctionT wave inversion occurs within
hours before ST segment returns to baseline.
Osborne wave/J wave/Late delta wave/Camel hump sign is an
ECG finding usually seen in hypothermia
Mnemonic: CaJOL
Shortly before S1S4
Mnemonic: 41
Shortly after S1ejection click (high pitched)
Between S1 and S2midsystolic click
Shrotly after S2S3
Tumor plop, opening snap, pericardial knock
Mnemonic: S3TOP
 134 Mnemonics

Ejection click
Semilunar valves (AS, PS, HTN)
Opening snapAV Valves (MS > TS)
Pericardial knockconstrictive pericarditis tumor plop
atrial myxoma
Pansystolic murmur VSD, MR, TR and aortopulmonary
shunts.
Mnemonic: MTV
Midsystolic murmur aortic (AS, COA, aneurysm, PDA
Pulmonary (PS, P.hypertension, P.artery dilatation)
Early systolic murmur TR (in absence of Pul. HTN), MR (in a
noncompliant left atrium), VSD (V.small muscular VSD, large
VSD with Pul. HTN)
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Main diagnostic criteria
Clinical history of asthma
Pulmonary infiltrates (transient/fixed)
Precipitating antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus
Immediate skin reactivity to Aspergillus antigen (wheal and
flare response)
Peripheral eosinophilia
Elevated serum IgE levels
Central/proximal bronchiectasis.
Mnemonic: All India Exam 2 times, i.e.
(AIE) 2 + Bronchiectasis
Causes of transudative pleural effusion
Cirrhosis of liver
Nephrotic syndrome
Myxoedema
CHF
SVC obstruction
Mnemonic: CNMC in SVC is transudative
Exudative pleural fluid
Light criteria: Pleural fluid protein / serum protein > 0.5
Pleural fluid LDH/serum LDH > 0.6
Pleural fluid LDH > 2/3 upper limit of serum LDH
 Medicine 135

With increased amylase: Pancreatic pleural effusion

Esophageal rupture
Malignancy
Mnemonic: Amylase increases in PEM
With decreased glucose: Bacterial infection
Malignancy
Rheumatoid pleuritis
Mnemonic: Glucose decreases in BMR
The MC cause of sporadic viral encephalitisHSV-1
The MC cause of epidemic viral encephalitisarbovirus (JE
virus)
The MC cause of viral meningitisenterovirus
Charcots joint /neuropathic joints
Joints involved
Syringomyelia Glenohumeral joint, elbow and wrist
Tabes dorsalis Knee, hip and ankle
Diabetes mellitus Tarsal and metatarsal joints
Mnemonic: STD from above downwardsposition of joints
Disorders associated with Charcots joint
Syringomyelia
Tabes dorsalis
Diabetes mellitus
Peroneal muscular atrophy
Amyloidosis
Leprosy
Meningomyelocele
Congenital insensitivity to pain
Mnemonic: STD PALM CO
Downs syndrome: Transient myeloproliferative syndrome
AML (FAB M7acute magakaryocytic
subtype)
Extraintestinal manifestation occurs more commonly with
Crohns disease than with ulcerative colitis. Those specially
associated with Crohns disease include:
Digital clubbing
Oral aphthous ulcers
 136 Mnemonics

Peripheral arthritis
Erythema nodosum
Episcleritis
Renal stones (uric acid oxalate)
Gallstones
Mnemonic: DOPE ERG in Crohns
Approach to diagnosis of arthritis in a single joint
Associated with fever Septic arthritis
Not associated with fever Acute: Trauma
Hemarthrosis
Hemophilia
Chronic: JRA
Trauma
Tuberculosis
Legg-Perthes disease
Mnemonic: JTTL (like Jatil in hindi)
Tubulopathy/ tubulitis
PCTRTA2, Fanconi syndrome
Mnemonic: 2 Fan for PC
Thick ascendingBartter syndrome
Mnemonic: BaTA
DCTGitelman syndrome
Collecting duct : RTA1
Liddles syndrome
D(Nephrogenic)
Renal papillaRenal papillary necrosis
Major calyx/pelvishydronephrosis, pyonephrosis, reflux
nephropathy
Any/allacute tubular necrosis
Mnemonic: 1 Little DIN in CD-Collecting Duct
Syndrome Most likely congenital cardiac lesion
Downs syndrome ASD of endocardial cushion type
(ostium primum type)
Turners syndrome Coarctation of aorta, bicuspid aortic
valve
 Medicine 137

Noonans syndrome Pulmonic stenosis

Holt-Oram syndrome (ASD with bony abnormalities)
Familial ASD
(Strongest association)
Marfans syndrome Aortic or pulmonary artery dilatation,
mitral or aortic regurgitation
Ellis-van Creveld syndrome ASD + single atrium
Rubella PDA > PS > VSD
X-linked recessive X-linked dominant
Hemophilia A Hypophosphatemic rickets
G6PD deficiency
Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy
Fragile X syndrome
Fabrys disease
LAP scores are decreased in PNH and CML
LAP scores are increased in
Infection
Polycythemia
Leukemoid reaction
Mnemonic: IPL
Myeloproliferative syndrome
Polycythemia vera
Idiopathic myelofibrosis
Essential thrombocytosis
CML
a wave: Right atrial contraction
c wave: Bulging of tricuspid valve into right atrium
a-x descent: Atrial relaxation and downward displacement
of tricuspid valve
v wave: Increasing volume of blood in the right atrium
v-y descent: Opening of tricuspid valve and subsequent
rapid in flow of blood into right ventricle.
a waves: Due to distension produced by right atrial
contraction
Large a waves Tricuspid stenosis
 138 Mnemonics

(atria is contracting Pulmonic stenosis

against increased resistance)
Pulmonary hypertension
Cannon a waves Regularlyduring junctional rhythm
IrregularlyAV dissociation with ventricular tachycardia,
complete heart block
Absent a wavesatrial fibrillation
a-x descentdue to both atrial relaxation and the downward
displacement of the tricusupid valve during ventricular
systole. Accentuated in: Constrictive pericarditis
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Cardiac tamponade
Mnemonic: PRT
Reduced with Right ventricular dilatation
Reversed with Tricuspid regurgitation
v-y descentby the opening of the tricuspid valve and
subsequent rapid flow of blood into the right ventricle
Accentuated in: Tricuspid regurgitation
Constrictive pericarditis
Reduced with: Tricuspid stenosis
Right atrial myxoma
(suggest obstruction to right ventricular
filling)
Tricuspid regurgitation causes the v waves to be prominent.
When TR becomes severe, the combination of a prominent
v waves and obliteration of x-descent results in a single large
positive systolic wave.

Pheochromocytoma has been called the 10% tumor. 10% of

tumor are:
Bilateral Malignant
Occur in children Multiple
Extra adrenal
Familial
Mnemonic: BCEF MM
 Medicine 139

Type 1 respiratory failure

PaO2low (< 60 mmHg)
PaCO2normal/low ( 49 mmHg)
PA-aO2increased
Oxygenation affected:
Parenchymal disease (V/Q mismatch)
Diseases of vasculature/shunts
Interstitial lung diseases
Examples
Right to left shunts
ARDS
Pneumonia
Emphysema
Mnemonic: RAPE
Type 2 respiratory failure
PaO2decreased (< 60 mmHg)
PaCO2increased (> 49 mmHg)
PA-aO2normal
Ventilation affected:
Obstructive lung diseaseCOPD, foreign body
Decreased central respiratory drive
Brain injury, meningitis
Weakness of respiratory muscle
Myasthenia gravis
Interstitial lung disease
Polymyositis
Kyphoscoliosis
Tumors associated with polycythemia vera
Hypernephroma
Uterine fibromyoma
Meningioma
Pheochromocytoma
Adrenal adenoma
Cerebellar hemangioblastoma
Hepatoma
Mnemonic: HUM PACH
 140 Mnemonics

Normal total bilirubin is 0.3 to 1.0 mg/dl

Conjugated0.1 to 0.3 mg/dl
Unconjugated0.2 to 0.7 mg/dl
Normal alkaline phosphatase
3 to 13 KA/U (30 to 120 lU/L)
Clinical significance of different casts (urinary casts)
Hyaline castsnormal constituent of urine and no attached
significance. Tomm-Horsfall protein is the protein secreted by
epithelial cells of loop of Henle. This protein may be excreted
as hyaline casts
RBC castglomerular injury
White cell castinterstitial injury seen in interstitial nephritis
or pyelonephritis
Broad granular castinterstitial fibrosis and dilatation of
tubules, seen in CRF
Pigmented muddy brown granular castsischaemic or
nephrotoxic injury, i.e. tubular necrosis
Parkinsonism is characteristically associated with a triad of
Bradykinesia
Tremor at rest
Rigidity
Mnemonic: BTR (like Butter in hindi)
The clinical hallmarks of Huntigtons disease
Behavioural disturbance
Chorea
Dementia (late onset)
Mnemonic: BCD
Migraine
Frontotemporal usually (lateralised)
Females
Family history
Focal neurological symptoms like clumsiness and weakness
Pain preceded by aura
Photophobia
Photopsia and fortification spectra
Paresthesia with tingling and numbness
Mnemonic: 4F4P
 Medicine 141

Otherall age group affected

Pain builds up
Cluster headache
Periorbital or less commonly temporal
All ages above 10 years with peak at 3050 years
Male preponderance (90%)
No hereditary factor
Pain (periodic attacks 121 days)
Begins without warning
Reaches crescendo within 5 minutes
Lasts for 45 minutes
Excoriating, deep, explosive pain but only rarely pulsatile
Awakens the patients from sleep
Homolateral lacrimation
Reddening of eye
Nasal stuffiness
Ptosis
Nausea
Gastrointestinal lymphomamodified Ann Arbor classification
IE Tumor confined to small intestine
IIE Spread to regional lymph nodes
IIIE Spread to non-resectable nodes beyond regional nodes
IVE Spread to other organs
Mnemonic: SRNO
Basal ganglia and lesions
ChoreaCaudate nucleus and putamen (striatum)
Mnemonic: C for C
Athetosis Lantiform nucleus (globus pallidus)
Mnemonic: Lathi
Hemi ballismus Subthalamic nucleus
Mnemonic: Hemi-Sub
Parkinsonism substantia nigra
All porphyrias except congenital erythropoietic porphyria
(which is autosomal recessive) are autosomal dominant.
 142 Mnemonics

P24 antigen assay is the earliest marker for HIV infection. It is

most useful as a screening test for HIV infection in patient
presents prior to development of antibodies.
Antibodies to HIV (detected by ELISA or Western blot)
generally appear in circulation 4 to 8 weeks after circulation.
The MC screening test used for HIVELISA
The MC confirmatory testWestern blot
Screening test in window period of acute HIV infection is P24
antigen
The gold standard for diagnosis is PCR
(in a patient with positive or indeterminate ELISA test and an
indeterminate Western blot or in patients in whom serological
testing is unreliable (patients with hypogammaglobulinemia)
Progression to chronicity in various types of hepatitis
Hepatitis Anone
Hepatitis Boccasional (110%), 90% in neonates
Hepatitis Ccommon, 5070% chronic hepatitis; 8090%
chronic infection.
Hepatitis Drelatively common: In coinfection with HBV, it
is same as that for HBV
In superinfection it is variable
Hepatitis Enone
Note: Hepatitis B, C, D Parenteral spread
Hepatitis A, E Non-parenteral spread.

Anti-HbSAg positive alone indicates

Immunization with HBsAg
Remote past infection
False positive
Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with greatly elevated
risk of skin cancer (both basal cell and squamous cell
carcinoma)
Lung cancer
Ca liver (angiosarcoma)
Bladder Ca
Kidney Ca
Colon Ca
 Medicine 143

Portal HTN in absence of cirrhosis may result from alteration

in hepatic architecture produced by
Vitamin A
Exposure to vinyl chloride
Arsenic intoxication
Administration of thorium dioxide
Mnemonic: VAVA-thorium
Descending motor paralysis
3 important causes
Diphtheria
Botulinum
Polio
Mnemonic: Descending Bottle Paralysis
Subdural empyema: The major pathogen
Aerobic and anaerobic streptococci (about 50%)
Staph (about 1216%)
Aerobic gram-negative bacilli (310%)
Other anaerobes (5%)
Note: H. influenzae is the most common causative
organism in children only.

Order of involvement of adrenals from various primaries in

decreasing order: Melanoma > lung and bladder > breast,
cervix and colorectal Ca > ovary and kidney > prostate.
Particle size and respiratory tract
Particle with size 1015 mm in diameterdo not penetrate
beyond the upper airways.
Particle of size 2.510 mmdeposit relatively high in
tracheobronchial tree
Particle of size < 2.5 mm can be carried to lower airways.
Low serum iron with increased TIBCiron deficiency
anaemia
Low serum iron with decreased TIBCanaemia of chronic
disease
Condition giving false positive reaction with the modern RPR
and VDRL tests include:
144 Mnemonics

Acute false positive reactions (<6 months)

Recent viral illness or immunization Genital Herpes
HIV
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Malaria
Parenteral drug use
Chronic false positive reactions (> 6 months)
Aging
Autoimmune disorders (SLE, RA)
Parenteral drug use
Mnemonic: AAP
Non-specific tests for syphilis which use cardiolipin antigen
(Reagin antibody)
Wassermann
Kahns flocculation test
VDRL
RPR (rapid plasma reagin)
Advantage: Become negative after effective treatment of
syphilis and hence can be used in
Detecting reinfection
Indicating stage of disease
Monitoring treatment response
Mnemonic: RST
Disadvantage
Lack of specificity
False positive cases
Low pitched soundS3, S4 and tumor plop. (heard by bell)
Mitral valve prolapsedmost common cause is Myxomatous
degenerationmid-systolic click on examination.
Orthopnea:
Acute CHF
Bilateral diaphragmatic palsy
(GB syndrome/myesthenic crisis/transverse myelitis)
Platypnea:
ARDS
Hepatopulmonary syndrome
Atrial myxoma
Mnemonic: AHA
 Medicine 145

RCMmost common causeamyloidosis

DCMmost common causealcohol
Mnemonic: DCM-Daru
S3Ventricle gallop
S4Atrial gallop
Mnemonic: V3S
Atrial fibrillationtreatment:
RRate control (Esmolol)
AAnticoagulation (Warfarin, debigatran, rivoraxaban)
CChemical cardioversion/rhythm control (IV ibutilide/
amiodarone)
EElectrical-DC shock.
Stroke identification:
SSmileasymmetry
TTalkaphasia
RRaise arminability to raise arm
Most common blood vessels involved in atherosclerosis
Abdominal aorta > Coronary artery > Carotid artery >
Popliteal artery.
Mnemonic: AA CoCa Pi
Infective endocarditis
ABE (< 2 weeks)Staph. aureus.
IV drug abuseRight-sided endocarditisStaph. aureus
Mnemonic: acute, abuse-aureus
SABE (> 2 weeks): Streptococcus viridens > Enterococcus
Prosthetic valve endocarditis: CONS (Coagulase negative
Staphylococcus)
Mnemonic: Pros and cons
Streptococcus viridian: SABE (> 2 weeks)
Prosthetic valve endocarditis (> 12
months)
Mnemonic: viridians for more
Left-sided endocarditis (R to L shunt)Patent fossa ovalis
Enterococcus.
 146 Mnemonics

Modified Dukes criteria for infective endocarditis

Major:
1. Echocardiography Vegetations on the heart valves
Oscilating mass in the atria
Valve ring abscess
2. Blood culture positive
3. New onset murmur due to valve perforation
Minor:
1. Predisposition to IV drug abuse
2. Fever > 101F
3. Immunological manifestations:
RRoth spot
OOslers node
GGlomerulonephritis (post-infectious)
4. Vascular phenomenonJaneway lesion, mycotic aneurysm
5. Echocardiographysmall vegetations (0.5 mm)
Mnemonic: P-FIVE
Diagnosis2 major or 1 major + 3 minor or 5 minor
Carey Coombs murmur: Delayed diastolic murmurCharac-
teristic murmur of rheumatic myocarditis
Mnemonic: cc is dd
Early diastolic murmur
GGraham Steells murmur
AAR (mild)
PPR (mild)
Mnemonic: GAP is ED
Mid-diastolic murmur
Austin Flint murmur (severe AR)
MS (with secondary spike)
Flow murmur of ASD
Mnemonic: MDM is Flea flow MS
Framingham heart risk score
Age
Total cholesterol
 Medicine 147

Gender
Cigarette smoking
SBP
Mnemonic: AT GCS
Sheehans syndromeorder of loss of hormone
GGH
FFSH
LLH
TTSH
AACTH
Mnemonic: GFLTA
Migraine
Pulsating headache
One day illness
Unilateral headache
Nausea
Disabling.
Mnemonic: POUND
Sturge-Weber syndrome
SSeizure
TTrigeminal nerve distributionHemangioma/Portwine stain
Uunilateral weakness
Rmental Retardation
GGlaucoma
EEye problemsBuphthalmos.
Anencephaly
Polyhydramnios
Post-dated delivery
Pituitary hypoplasia
Mnemonic: 3P
Diagnostic criteria of SLE
MMalar rash
DDiscoid rash
SSerositis
 148 Mnemonics

OOral ulcer
AAntinuclear antibody (ANA)
PPhotosensitivity
BBrain (lupus cerebritis)
RRenal (lupus nephritis)
AAIHA (Auto-immune hemolytic anemia)
IImmunological criteria (dsDNA/anti-cardiolipin antibody/
anti-2 glycoprotein)
NNon-erosive arthritis
Diagnosis4 out of 11 (immunological criteria is must)
PANPoly arteritis nodosa
It is necrotizing vasculitis of small to medium vessels.
Mnemonic: PAN: Pulmonary Artery Never involved
Note: PAN can never lead to renal artery stenosis.

Wegeners granulomatosis is now known as granulomatosis

with angitis. It is a granulomatous vasculitis.
Blood vessels of upper respiratory tractEpistaxis
Lower respiratory tractHemoptysis
KidneyHematuria
CT scan chestmultiple Cavities in lung
IOC-C-ANCA
Treatmentcyclophosphamide.
Mnemonic: 3C
Atypical pneumonia is caused by:
Mycoplasma
Coxiella burnetti
Viral
Legionella
Chlamydia
Mnemonic: My cox vi leg se chalte hain
Child Pugh criteria of cirrhosis of liver:
Bilirubin
Albumin
 Medicine 149

Ascites +/
Asterixis +/
PT with INR
Note: BAAAP

Pautriers microabscessMycosis fungoides

Munro microabscessPsoriasis
Mnemonic: P for M and M for P
Psoriasis
Auspitz sign
Bulkely membrane
Candle grease sign
DIP joint in psoriatic arthropathy
Extensor surface of knee, elbow and scalp
Face uncommon
Grattage sign
Guttate psoriasis (Eruptive psoriasis)
Histopathologyparakeratosis
Inverse psoriasis (flexor surface involved)
Itching uncommon
Koebner phenomenon (isomorphic phenomenon)
Never involvedMucosa, CNS, alopecia
Onycholysis, thimble pitting of nail plate
Papules and plaques
Rupoid psoriasis
Silvery mica scales
T cell mediated chronic inflammatory disease
von Zombusch disease (generalized pustular psoriasis)
Wornoff ring (white halo around lesion).
Hand-Schller-Christian disease triad:
Calvarial defect in scalp
Diabetes insipidus
Exophthalmos
Mnemonic: CDE
 150 Mnemonics

Congenital syphilis: Hutchinsons triad:

Hutchinsons teeth
Interstitial keratitis
8th nerve deafness.
Mnemonic: HI8
Solid raised area
Papule < 1 cm
Nodule 15 cm
Tumor > 5 cm.
Mnemonic: PNT
Pemphigus vulgaris:
Nikolosky sign
Intraepidermal bullae
Mucosal involvement
Acantholysis
Poor prognosis
Upper part of body (Trunk > limbs)
Row of tombstone
4060 years age group
Mnemonic: NIMAPUR
Pemphigoid:
Subepidermal and tense bulla
Lower part of body (limbs > trunk)
Good prognosis
6080 years old

Inclusion body myositis

Familial
Fine motor involvementearly
Facial muscle involvement
Falling
Chronic course (years)
Mnemonic: 4F
 Medicine 151

Microsporum does not infect nails.

Mnemonic: MN
Epidermophyton does not infect hair.
Mnemonic: EH
Gonococcus involves epididymis, infection spreading
through urethrae
Syphilis involves testis, infection spreading blood.
Mnemonic: ST
Kawasaki diseasepresents with
NCNon-purulent conjunctivitis
CChildren
SStrawberry tongue
UUnilateral cervical lymphadenopathy
RRash (polymorphic)
EEdema in hands and feet
 12
Surgery

Esophageal dysphagia
Solid and liquid Progressive systemic sclerosisprogressive
(motility) Achalasiaprogressive
Diffuse esophageal spasmnon-progressive
Mnemonic: PaDi Motile
Solid only Cancerprogressive
(mechanical) Stricture (peptic) progressive
Ring (lower esophageal)non-progressive
Mnemonic: CaSRi is Mechanical
MBC fail ESWL teststones that are not broken by ESWL are
Calcium oxalate monohydrate
Brushite
Cysteine
Mnemonic: MBC
Whole liver orthotopic transplantation require five sequential
anastomoses.
Suprahepatic lVC
lnfrahepatic lVC
Portal vein
Hepatic artery
Bile ducts
Mnemonic: SIPoHe Bill
Factors indicating possibility of malignancy in gallbladder
polyps
Single polyp
Size of polyp > 1.0 cm

152
 Surgery 153

Size of polyp change rapidly

Sessile polyp
Stones (gall) associated
50 yrs or more age
Mnemonic: S/50
Radiolucent ureteric stones are
Uric acid stones
Triamterene stone
Indinavir stone
Xanthine stones
Mnemonic: UTI-X
Risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Choledochal cyst
Ulcerative colitis
Clonorchis sinensis
Chronic typhoid carriers
Mnemonic: 5c
Revised trauma score
Respiratory rate
Glasgow Coma Scale
Systolic BP
Mnemonic: RTS-RGS
Trauma and injury severity score (TRlSS)
Mechanism of injuryblunt or penetrating
Injury severity score (ISS)
Revised trauma score (RTS)
Age
Mnemonic: MIRA
The structures injured by the primary blast wave in order to
prevalence are the
Middle ear
Lungs
Bowel
Mnemonic: MLB
 154 Mnemonics

Glasgow Coma Scale

E Eye opening 4
V Verbal response 5
M Motor response 6
Mnemonic: EVM (Electronic voting machine)
Eye opening Spontaneous
To voice
To pain
None
Mnemonic: SVP
Verbal response Oriented
Confused
Inappropriate words
In Comprehensible sound
None
Mnemonic: OrC InAC
Motor response Obeys commands
Localises pain
Withdraws
Flexion (abnormal)
Extension (abnormal)
None
Mnemonic: OLWFEN (Just remember)
Psammoma bodies
Papillary Ca of thyroid
Papillary type of renal cell Ca
Prolactinoma (pituitary adenoma)
Serous cystadenoma of ovary
Meningioma
Appendical carcinoid (rarely)
Mnemonic: 3PSMA
Sister Mary Joseph nodule
Most common tumours to present with this sign
Stomach (20%)
Colon (14%)
Ovary (14%)
 Surgery 155

Pancreas (11%)
Mnemonic: SCOP
Phosphate or struvite stones are infection stones associated
with urea splitting organisms
Proteus
Pseudomonas
Providencia
Klebsiella
Staphylococci
Mycoplasma
Mnemonic: P3KSM
Syndrome associated with Wilms tumour
Denys-Drash syndrome
Male pseudohermaphrodite
Mesangial sclerosis
Missense mutation in WT1 gene
Mnemonic: Denys ki MaMMi
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome
Hemihypertrophy
Macroglossia
Visceromegaly
Omphalocele
Wilms tumour
Mnemonic: BHMV of Wilms
Papillary Ca thyroid
Calcification
Radiation induced
Orphan-Annie eye nuclei
Mnemonic: CROP
Hashimotos thyroiditis
Hrthle cells are virtually pathognomonic
Mnemonic: H for H
Posterior urethra (membranous urethra) is injured in pelvic
trauma and fracture
Mnemonic: P for P
 156 Mnemonics

Anterior urethra (bulbar urethra is injured in fall astride injury)

Mnemonic: A for A
Lynch syndrome
Colon Ca
Endometrial Ca
Ovarian Ca
Mnemonic: CEO
Choledochal cystclassification
Type 1 Fusiform dilatation of bile duct
Type 2 Diverticulum protruding from the wall of the
CBD
Type 3 Dilatation of the bile duct within the duodenum
(choledochocele)
Type 4A Multiple dilatations of intrahepatic and extra-
hepatic bile ducts (both)
Type 4B Multiple dilatations involving only the extra-
hepatic bile ducts
Type 5 Multiple dilatations of intrahepatic bile ducts
also called Carolis disease
Mnemonic: Fausi dives due 2 extra care
MEN 1 syndrome
Parathyroid tumours > Pancreatic endocrine tumours >
Pituitary tumours.
Mnemonic: Para No.1, Pan-2nd, Pitu-3rd
Among pancreatic tumours: In order to decreasing frequency
in MEN 1:
Pancreatic polypeptide tumour
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrin)
Insulinoma
Glucagonoma
VIPoma
Somatostatinoma
Mnemonic: PZI GVS
MEN I: Chromosome 11
MEN II: Chromosome 10
 Surgery 157

Absorbable suture materials

Natural-Catgut-chromic/plain
Collagen
Syntheticpolydiaxonone
Polyglactin (Vicryl)
Polyglycaprone
Polyglyconate
Polyglycolic acid
Mnemonic: Cat Call Vicky DAGA
Hereditary gastrointestinal polyposis syndromes
Gardners syndrome
Osteoma
Desmoid tumour
Lipomas
Epidermal cyst
Ampullary Ca
Fibroma
Mnemonic: GOD LEAF
Turcots syndromeBrain tumors
Mnemonic: Rain Coat
Nigro regimen for anal canal tumors
Chemotherapy5-FU + Mitomycin
Or
Bleomycin, Cisplatin
Types of hiatus hernia
Type 1 Sliding hernia: 7080% (i.e. hernia en glissade)
Type 2 Paraoesophageal rolling hernia: 810%
Type 3 Mixed: 10%
Mnemonic: SRM
Lateral swellings of the neck
Ranula
Bronchogenic cyst
Cystic hygroma
Mnemonic: RBC
 158 Mnemonics

Tumors of urothelium, i.e. pelvis, ureter and bladder are most

commonly transitional cell carcinoma. But tumours of urethra
are most commonly squamous cell carcinoma.
Cardinal manifestations of bowel obstruction
Pain is most pronounced in small bowel obstruction
Vomiting is most pronounced in high small bowel
obstruction
Distension is most pronounced in large bowel obstruction
Pain of ureteric colic from different regions of ureter
Site Pain referred to
Upper ureter Testis
Middle ureter McBurneys point
Simulates appendicitis on right side
Simulates diverticulitis on left side
Lower ureter Inner side of thigh
Labia majora in females.
Intramural part of ureter Stranguary
Mnemonic: From above downwards Test McBurger with the
stranger
Ligation in arterial aneurysm
Ligation applied just proximal to sac Anels method.
Ligature applied just proximal to Bractors method
branch of an artery
Double ligature applied just distal Anlylus method
to the branch
Ligature proximal to first collateral Hunters operation
of aneurysm
Mnemonic: Anal Sac
Proximal Brac
Double L
Collateral hunting
Early gastric cancercancer limited to the mucosa,
submucosa with or without lymph node involvement
Late gastric cancerit involves the muscularis
Acute intussusception
Idiopathic (peak incidence 39 months)
 Surgery 159

Hyperplasia of Peyers patches in the terminal ileum is usually

the initiating event.
Known cause/lead point (older children)
Duplication
Meckels diverticulum
Polyp
Mnemonic: DMP
Cushing syndrome
Petrous sinus sampling for ACTH is the best method of
differentiating a pituitary adenoma from an ectopic ACTH
producing tumor.
Adrenal CT scan reliably differentiates cortical hyperplasia
from tumor.
T2-weighted MRI is more specific, reliably distinguishing
adrenal adenoma from carcinoma.
Esophageal carcinoma
MC type in India Squamous cell carcinoma
MC type in west Adenocarcinoma
Mc site of squamous Middle 1/3rd
MC site of adenocarcinoma lower 1/3rd
MC type of upper 2/3rd Squamous
Hyperplastic TB
Radiology/barium swallow shows
Long narrow filling defect in terminal ileum
Fleshner sign: Thickening of the ileocaecal valve, a wide
open valve accompanied by narrowing of
terminal ileum
Sterling sign: Fibrotic terminal ileum opening into a
contracted caecum.
Mnemonic: SFL (Safal in Hindi)
Marjolins ulcer squamous cell carcinoma which arises in
amino acid
Chronic benign ulcer, e.g. a venous ulcer, or
A scar, e.g. scar of an old burn
Characteristics
Grows slowly (relatively avascular)
Painless (no nerves)
 160 Mnemonics

Does not spread to regional lymph nodes as lymphatic vessels

have been destroyed
Triple assessment of breast lump suggestive of carcinoma:
Clinical assesment
Radiological imaging
Tissue sampling for either cytological or histological
examination
Mnemonic: CRT
Radical neck dissection Structure preserved
Carotid arteries
Cranial nerve
Phrenic nerve
Radical neck dissection Structures removed
Omohyoid
Sternomastoid
Internal jugular vein
Submandibular gland
Accessory nerve
Mnemonic: O-SISA
Structures preserved in modified radical neck dissection
Internal jugular vein
Sternomastoid
Accessory nerve
Mnemonic: ISA
Common causes of acute lower gastrtointestinal bleeding over
55 years of age (in decreasing order)
Anorectal disease (haemorrhoids and fissures)
Diverticulosis
Angiodysplasia
Polyps and cancer
Enterocolitis
Mnemonic: ADAPE
MC site of colonic diverticula Sigmoid colon (left colon)
MC site of bleeding diverticula Ascending colon (right colon)
Mnemonic: CDS and AB
 Surgery 161

Wilkies syndrome (superior mesenteric syndrome)

Compression of third part of duodenum, by mesenteric
artery.
Hemobiliaclassic triad
Obstructive jaundice
Abdominal pain (biliary colic)
Malena or occult blood in stool
Mnemonic: JAM
MC benign tumor of spleenhemangioma
MC cause of neoplastic enlargement of spleenlymphoma
Spleen phagocytose encapsulated bacteria. Splenectomized
patients are at increased risk of septicemia due to pneumococcus
(MC), meningococcus, H. influenzae, Babesia microti
Note: MC complication of splenectomy is pulmonary
complications (left basal atelectasis).

Penetrating neck injurybreach of platysma

Mnemonic: P for P
 13
Gynecology and Obstetrics
(G and O)

Congenital rubella syndrome

Eye defects Cataract and congenital (CC) glaucoma
Heart defect PDA and Pulmonic (PP) stenosis
CNSMicrocephaly, milestone delay (developmental)
meningoencephalitis (MMM) pigmentary retinopathy,
purpura (PP)
Mnemonic: CMP
Pain pathways during labour
Prelabour pains are mediated through T11T12
Mnemonic: Prelabour-Pre L1
It eventually involves T10 L1 dermatomes during labour.
Genital RidgeOvary, testis
Mnemonic: ROT
Tubercleclitoris, glans
Mnemonic: Clitoris and glans like tube
SwellingLabia majora, scrotum
FoldLabia minora, ventral part of penile urethra
Mnemonic: Major Scrotal swelling
Minor ventral fold
Puberty sequential changes
Thelarche
Pubarche
Peak height velocity
Menarche
Mnemonic: The Pub Peaks for Men

162
 Gynecology and Obstetrics (G and O) 163

HPV 16 is the most prevalent HPV type in squamous cell

cancer cervix
HPV 18 is the most prevalent HPV type in adenocarcinorma
cervix
Mnemonic: Sweet 16
Head compressionEarly deceleration
Cord compressionMid deceleration (Mn: CM)
Placental compressionLate deceleration (Mn: PL)
The drug of choice for acute control of hypertension in severe
pre-eclampsia is Hydralazine > labetalol > nifedipine
Mnemonic: HelaN
OCP is a risk factor for
Breast Ca
Cervical Ca
Hepatocellular Ca
Pituitary adenoma
Mnemonic: Bihar PHC
Indication of antenatal steroids
To reduce incidence of respiratory distress syndromewhen
pregnancy is less than 34-betamethasone is preferred.
To prevent virilization of female fetus in case of previous baby
with congenital adrenal hyperplasiaas soon as pregnancy
is confirmed
Dexamethasone is prefered.
Mnemonic: CD
Bishops score
Cervix-Consistency (soft/medium)
Dilatation (12 cm/34 cm/56 cm)
Effacement (4050% /6070%/80%)
Position (middle/anterior)
+ Station of presenting part (1, 2/0/+1, +2)
Mnemonic: Cx-CDEP + Station
Fetal hydantoin syndrome
Cardiac defects
 164 Mnemonics

Hypoplastic phalanges
Nail dysplasia
Facial dysmorphism
Cleft lip and palate
Microcephaly
Mnemonic: Heart, Hand, Head
Neonatal complications of diabetic mothers
Hypoglycemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypomagnesemia
Hypothermia
Hyperbilirubinemia
Polycythemia
RDS
Cardiomyopathy.
Mnemonic: Only these two increasesbilirubin and blood
MC ovarian neoplasm during pregnancy
Benign cystic teratoma (dermoid) (21%) > Serous cyst
adenoma (21%) > Cystic corpus luteum (18%)
Mnemonic: BSC
Bacterial vaginosis
Few leucocytes
No/few lactobacilli
Clue cells
Gram variable micro-organism including
Gardnerella vaginalis (Gram-negative)
Haemophilus vaginalis (Gram-negative)
Moblincus (Gram-positive)
Mnemonic: Lactobacilli and leukocytes are low in number
Neural tube defect Ventral wall defect
Acetylcholinesterase Acetylcholinesterase
Pseudocholinesterase Pseudocholinesterase
Mnemonic: PV
 Gynecology and Obstetrics (G and O) 165

Note: AFP is raised in both.

Conjugate diameters of pelvic inlet
Diagonal conjugate can be measured directly
Mnemonic: D for D
True conjugate diameter Midpoint of sacral promontory
to inner margin of upper bor-
der of symphysis pubis (11cm)
Obstetric conjugate diameter Midpoint of sacral promontory
to prominent bony projection
on inner surface of pubic sym-
physis
Diagonal conjugate diameter Midpoint of sacral promontory
to inner margin of lower
border of symphysis pubis
(12 cm)
Mnemonic: On inner margin of symphysis pubis, from above
downward order is TOD
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia is classified as a high risk
tumour if it has any of the following factors:
Antecedent term pregnancy
Brain or liver metastasis
Prior chemotherapy failure
Duration > 4 months
Pretherapy HCG level > 40,000 mIU/ml
Mnemonic: ABCD and H
Criteria for medical management of ectopic pregnancy:
Hemodynamically stable patient
Size of ectopic mass < 4 cm
Gestation preferably < 6 weeks
Fetus preferably dead (no fetal cardiac activity on USG)
Serum beta-hCG levels preferably < 1500 mIU
Note: Active intra-abdominal hemorrhage is a contraindi-
cation to chemotherapy.

Pure gonadal dysgenesis: It is a disorder in which phenotypic

females have
 166 Mnemonics

Gonads and genitalia characteristic of gonadal dysgenesis

Bilateral streak gonads
Infentile uterus and fallopian tubes
Sexual infantilism
Normal height
Normal somatic development
Normal 46, XX or a 46, XY karyotype

Note: Swyer syndrome is pure gonadal dysgenesis 46, XY.

All the elements of Virchows triad is circulatory stasis,

vascular damage and hypercoagulability of the blood are
present during pregnancy. Vascular stasis is due to increase
in the calibre of capacitance vessels and blood. Hyper-
coagulability is due to increased amounts of factors VII, VIII
and X.

Cephalhematoma Caput succedaneum

Collection of blood between
the pericranium and flat
bone of skull
Usually unilateral
Limited by suture line
Develops after 1224 hrs
(never present at birth)
Swelling disappears in
68 wks
Good prognosis
No impulse on crying
Swelling due to stagnation
of fluid in between layers of
scalp beneath the girdle of
contact
May be bilateral
Not limited by suture line
Present at birth
Swelling disappears in
24 hrs
Good prognosis
No impulse on crying

Note: Meningocele always lies over a suture line or

fontanelle and variation in tension of swelling with crying (cry
impulse) is suggestive of a meningocele.

Contraindication of ergometrine
Suspected multiple pregnancies
 Gynecology and Obstetrics (G and O) 167

Organic cardiac diseases

Severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (there may be sudden
rise in BP)
Rh negative mothers More chances of fetomater-
nal microtransfusion
Risk of abnormal off-spring for carriers of a balanced trans-
location: Risk percentage

Translocation Carrier father Carrier mother

Centric fusion 13 : 14 1 1
Centric fusion 14 : 21 1 15
Centrtic fusion 21 : 22 5 10
Centric fusion 21 : 21 100 100
Reciprocal (Any) 10 10

Oligospermia: Mildwhen the count is 1020 million/ml

Moderatewhen the count is 510 million/ml
Severewhen the count is <5 million/ml
WHO criteria
Volume > 2 ml
Sperm count > 20 million/ml
Total sperm count > 40 million/ejaculate
Percent mobility
> 50% with forward progression
> 25% with rapid linear progression
Forward progression > 2 (Scale 04)
Normal morphology > 50% normal
Round cells < 5 million/ml
Sperm agglutination < 2 (Scale 03)
WBC fewer than 1 million.
Mother with glycosylated HbA1c before 14 weeks of
gestational values less than or equal to 8.5% have got least
chance of severe malformation of the fetus.
9.5% or more have greater chance of major congenital
malformation.
 168 Mnemonics

Types of pelvis
Naegeles pelvis Ala on one side is absent
Mnemonic: N for N
Roberts pelvis Ala on both sides is absent
Mnemonic: B for B
Rachitic pelvis
Increased interspinous diameter of the false pelvis
Reniform shape of inlet with shortened AP diameter
Widened transverse diameter of the outlet and pubic arch
inlet is typically triradiate
Osteomalacic pelvis
Side effects of OCP
Mildcontinue the OCP
NNausea
OOedema
RRecurrent headache
MMastalgia
AAbnormal bleeding (breakthrough bleeding)
LLoss of bleeding (withdrawal bleeding)
ModerateAcne
Weight gain
Chloasma
If patient is worried, stop the OCP.
Severestop the OCP.
Cholestasis
Cardiovascularthromboembolism
CNSdepression
Cancerincreased risk of breast carcinoma and cervical
carcinoma
Non-contraceptive benefits of OCPDecreases risk of
OtherOvarian cyst and carcinoma
BBenign breast disease (like fibroadenoma)
EEndometriosis
NNeoplasia like ovarian and endometrial carcinoma
 Gynecology and Obstetrics (G and O) 169

EEctopic pregnancy
FFibroid
IIron deficiency anemia
TTensionpre-menstrual tension
SSkeletalosteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
 14
Pediatrics

Hereditary hyperbilirubinemias
UGCUnconjugated
Gilberts syndrome
Crigler-Najjar syndrome I and II
Downes score
Cyanosis
Air entry
Respiratory rate
Grunting
Retraction
Mnemonic: CARGR
Silverman-Anderson index
Grunting
Nasal flaring
RetractionUpper chest
RetractionLower chest
RetractionXiphoid
Mnemonic: GFR 3LUXSilver
Fallots triad RVH
ASD
Pulmonic stenosis
Mnemonic: RAP
Fallots tetralogy Pulmonic stenosis
RVH
Overriding of aorta
Ventricular septal defect
Mnemonic: PROVe
170
 Pediatrics 171

A newborn is classified as vigorous if he has all the following:

Heart rate > 100 / min
Respiratory effort (strong)
Tone of muscles (good)
Mnemonic: HRT
Classification systems for PEM based on weight-for-age
Gomez classification
Indian academy of pediatrics (IAP) classification
Wellcome trust classification (also considers presence or
absence of edema)
Mnemonic: India Welcome Weight of Gomez
Glycogen storage disease
Anderson diseaseBranching enzyme defect (Type IV)
Cori Forbe or limit dextrinosis)Debranching enzyme defect
(Type III)
Mnemonic: 4 AB and CD3
Muscle glycogenases
Type II (Pompes)Lysosomal acid -glucosidase
Type V (McArdle)Muscle phosphorylase (M for M)
Type VII (Tarui)Phosphofructokinase
Mnemonic: 257PMTLMP
Timing of selected primitive reflexes
Reflex present at birth (in bracket age at appearance in
intrauterine life)
Palmar grasp (23)
Crossed extensor reflex (28)
Moros reflex (32)
Asymmetric tonic neck reflex (35) (ATNR)
Rooting /suckling reflex
Mnemonic: PCMARt
Reflexer developing after birth
Parachute reflex
Symmetric tonic neck reflex (STNR)
 172 Mnemonics

Neck righting reflex

Landau reflex
Mnemonic: PSNL
Note: ATNRfencing reflex, STNRCats reflex.

Hereditary associations with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Fanconis anaemia
Ataxia-telangiectasia
Bloom syndrome
Downs syndrome
Patau syndrome
Klinefelters syndrome
Kostmann syndrome
Mnemonic: FAB DiPika Ko AML
Autosomal recessive disorders that have occurred due to
uniparental disomy (UPD)
Alpha thalassemia
Spinal muscular atrophy
Beta thalassemia
Bloom syndrome
Cystic fibrosis
Cartilage hair hypoplasia
Mnemonic: A2B2C2
Autism Triad of impaired
Imagination
Communication
Social interaction
Mnemonic: ICS
Standard ORS versus ReSoMal (rehydration solution for
severely malnourished child)

Standard ORS ReSoMal New WHOORS

111 Glucose 125 75 (Anhydrous)
90 Sodium 45 75
20 Potassium 40 20
 Pediatrics 173

80 Chloride 70 65
10 Citrate 7 10
Magnesium 3
Zinc 0.3
Copper 0.045
311 300
Mnemonic: Mazic in ReSoMal
Agents responsible for bronchiolitis
MC agent Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Other Parainfluenza virus 3,1
Adenovirus
Influenza virus
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Mnemonic: MYC PAIR in bronchiolitis
Surgical management of tetralogy of Fallot
Waterson shuntAscending Aorta to Pulmonary artery
Blalock-Taussig shuntSubclavian artery to pulmonary artery
Potts shuntDescending aorta to pulmonary artery
Mnemonic: Waters Black PotASD
Target cells are seen in
Haemoglobin C, S, etc.
Thalassemia
Liver diseases
Mnemonic: HaThali Target
Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC)
Type 1 (45%) Supracardiac
Type 2 (25%) Cardiac
Type 3 (25%) Infracardiac
Type 4 (5%) Multiple levels
Mnemonic: SCIM
Assessment of dehydration in patients with diarrhoea and
PLAN
No sign of dehydration Treatment plan A (home avai-
lable food, ORS)
Some sign of dehydration Treatment plan B
 174 Mnemonics

Rehydration therapy
75 ml/kg ORS in first 4 hrs
Maintenance therapy
1020 ml/kg ORS for each liquid
stool
Severe dehydration Treament plan C
IV fluid (RL best, NS can be given)
< 12 months 30 ml/kg in 70 mI/kg in
1 hr 5 hr
> 12 months 30 ml/kg in 70 ml/kg in
to 5 yrs 30 minutes 2 hrs
Congenital rubella syndrome
The common manifestations are:
Growth retardation
Cardiac anomalies PDA > PS > VSD
Sensorineural deafness
Ocular Microphthalmia, cataract, glaucoma,
retinitis
Cerebral Chronic encephalitis
Hematological Thrombocytopenia
Lymphopenia
Bluberry muffin rash, i.e. dermal nests of
extramedullary hematopoiesis or purpura.
-thalassemia or Cooleys anaemia
Peripheral blood picture shows Microcytic hypochromic
anaemia
Anisocytosis (marked)
Target cells
Reticulocytosis
Nucleated red cells
Mnemonic: MATRN
Endemic cretinism includes two different overlapping
syndromes
Neurological syndromeGoitre, severe mental retardation,
deaf mutism, cerebral diplegia, squint
Mnemonic: CDS GS
Myxedematous syndrome: Hypothyroid (T4, TSH) severe
growth retardation, physical signscoarse dry skin, husky
 Pediatrics 175

voice reflex (delayed relaxation), ECGsmall voltage QRS,

epiphyseal dysgenesis
Hemangioma (vascular malformations) : Classification
Capillary hemangioma Salmon patch
Strawberry angioma
Portwine stain
Venous or cavernous hemangioma
Arterial or plexiform hemangioma
Spontaneous regression Salmon patch (regresses by 1
year of age)
Strawberry angioma (regresses
by 78 yrs of age)
Mnemonic: S for S
Downs syndrome
PProtruding tongue
RRound face
OOpen wide fontanelle/occiput flat
BBrachycephaly/Brachydactyly
LLow set ear/Low (depressed) nasal bridge
MMangolian slant/Mental retardation
AAcute leukemia (AML M7 > ALL)/Alzheimers disease/
Atresia of duodenum
TTrisomy 21/Thyroid problem (hypothyroidism)
IIris-Brushfields spot
CCongenital heart disease
Noonan syndrome
Autosomal dominant
Normal karyotype
Fertile
Short stature
Webbed neck
Cubitus valgus
Clinodactyly
Cryptoorchidism
Mnemonic: 3C
176 Mnemonics

Principle of phototherapy
SI > PI > PO
Structural isomerisation > Photoisomerisation > Photo
oxidation.
T-series are cyanotic
TAPVC
Truncus arteriosus
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tricuspid atresia
TGA with VSD
TGA with VSD with PS.
 15
Skin

Causes of non-cicatricial alopecia

Primary cutaneous disorders
Telogen effluvium
Anagen effluvium
Traumatic alopecia
Androgenic alopecia
Alopecia areata
Tinea capitis
Mnemonic: 3T and 3A
Epidermolysis bullosa and targeted protein
Epidermolysis bullosa simplexKeratin 4 and 14
Junctional epidermolysis bullosaLaminin 5
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosaCollagen VII
Mnemonic: SK Jha LDC Clerk
S K 4
J L 5
D C 7
Tinea capitisCaused by:
Trichophyton
Microsporum
Mnemonic: TMC
Salmons patch is seen in Stills disease
Mnemonic: S for S
Dannies foldAD (atopic dermatitis)
Mnemonic: DAAD

177
 178 Mnemonics

Darrier signUrticaria pigmentosa

Mnemonic: Dirty pig
Lymphogranuloma venereum
Asymptomatic
Bubo (usually unilateral)
Chlamydia trachomatis (L1 L2 L3)
Doxycycline (DOC)
Estheiominevaginal and rectal stricture and elephantiasis of
vulva
Fries testintradermal test for hypersensitivity to chlamydial
antigens
Grooves signenlarged LN on both sides of inguinal
ligament.
Mnemonic: ABCDEFG
Lepra reaction
Type I: Reverse lepra reaction, is Type IV hypersensitivity
Type II: ENL, is Type III hypersensitivity
Mnemonic: I + IV = V
II + III = V
Pityriasis rosea = Characteristic features
Herpesvirus (suspected etiology)
Trunk
Cigarette paper scales
Herald patch
Fir tree pattern
Mnemonic: HT + CHF (Rose ko HT and CHF)
Cutaneous tuberculosis (non-tuberculides)
Lupus vulgaris
Scrofuloderma
Metastatic tuberculosis
Tuberculosis cutis verrucosus
Tuberculosis cutis orificialis
Miliary tuberculosis
Mnemonic: Vulgar derma met cute Mili
 Skin 179

Tuberculides:
Papulonecrotic tuberculides
(Acne scrofulosorum)
Lichen scrofulosorum
Rosaceous tuberculide
Erythema induratum
Lupus miliaris disseminatus faccei
Mnemonic: ALi Rose Indure Lupus Miliaris
Pityriasis Classification
Trunk involvement P. versicolor
P. roseaerythematous (rose red)
Mnemonic: VeROT
Face involvement P.alba
P.rubraerythematous (rubra red)
Fordyces spots Ectopic sebacious glands (if on head of
penisTyson glands)
Fox-Fordyce (apocrine miliaria)blockage of sweat glands
Forcheimers spotsGerman measles (rubella)
Infectious mononucleosis
Scarlet fever
Gluten restriction in diet Celiac sprue
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Note: Gluten is found in Barley: Rye, oat and wheat, i.e. Brow.

All pemphigus cases are characterized by the formation of an

intraepidermal acantholytic split, located at the following
levels:
Stratum granulosumP.foliaceous and P.erythematosus
Mnemonic: EFG
Between Str. basale and prickle cell layerP.vulgaris and
P.vegetans
Mnemonic: V2
Non-anesthetic hypopigmented, non-scaly macule on face
Indeterminate leprosy
Note: Omitting non-scaly, diagnosis becomes Pityriasis
alba.
 16
Anesthesia

Anatomical dead space is decreased in

Hyperventilation
Intubation
Tracheostomy
Bronchoconstriction
Flexion of neck
Mnemonic: HITCornflex decreases dead space
Sites of absorption of local anesthetics in decreasing order
Intrapleural
Intercostal
Pudendal
Caudal
Epidural
Brachial plexus
Infiltration
Mnemonic: Pleco Puca Epi Brain
Relative potency of inhalational agents
Nitrous oxide
Cyclopropane
Desflurane
Sevoflurane
Ether Potency increases
Enflurane
Isoflurane
Chloroform
Halothane

180
 Anesthesia 181

Trielene
Methoxyflurane
Mnemonic: NCD SEE ICH of TMIn increasing order of
potency.
Note: Ether is between sevoflurane and enflurane, chloro-
form is between isoflurane and halothane

Blood gas partition coefficient

Desflurane
Cyclopropane
Nitrous oxide
Sevoflurane
Isoflurane B/G partition coefficient
Enflurane Increases
Halothane
Chloroform
Trielene
Ether
Methoxyflurane
Mnemonic: DCNS IEN HCTEM (Recall 10 times in mind)
Amide linked local anesthetics
Lidocaine/ Lignocaine
Bupivacaine
Dibucaine
Prilocaine
Ropivacaine
Mnemonic: I In Amide, I in Amide linked LA (besides in
Caine)
Ester-linked LA
Cocaine
Procaine
Chlorprocaine
Tetracaine
Benzocaine
Monitoring of respiration
Intubated patient Capnography
Infrared end tidal CO2 measurement
 182 Mnemonics

Mnemonic: Cap into infra

Non-intubated patient Impedance pulmonometry
Pulse oximetry
Transcutaneous gas analysis (infants)
Faster, pleasant and smooth induction with no significant
systemic toxicity makes sevoflurane the agent of choice for
induction especially in children.
Mnemonic: Smooth, Sweet Sevoflurane for seven year old
(i.e. child)
Anesthetic agents
Bronchospasmodics
(contraindicated in asthmatics)
Ether
N2 O
Thiopentone
Mnemonic: ENT
Gas Colour of cylinder
Oxygen Black body, White shoulder
Mnemonic: Black and White OX
Air Gray body, black and white shoulder
N2 O Blue
Mnemonic: Blue nitrous
Entonox Blue body, white and blue quartered
shoulder
Cyclopropane Orange
Mnemonic: Cycle per oranges
Carbon dioxide Gray
Mnemonic: Grey Carbon
Thiopentone Yellow
Mnemonic: Yellow Pant
Halothane Amber (purple red)
Mnemonic: Hello Amber
Agents used in day care anesthesia
Seroflurane, Isoflurane and Desflurane
 Anesthesia 183

Alfentanyl, Remifentanyl
Etomidate
Methohexitone
Propofol
Thiopentone
Mnemonic: SID ARe EMPTy
Rapid sequence anesthesia (crash induction)
Preoxygenation
Induction agent
Suxamethonium
Sellicks maneuver (cricoid pressure)
Mnemonic: PISS
Concept of balanced anesthesia (Lundy)
Thiopental for Induction
N2O for Amnesia
Mepridine (or other opioid) for Analgesia
Curare for Muscle relaxation
Mnemonic: TNMC
Drugs sensitizing the heart to arrhythmogenic action of
adrenaline include:
Halothane
Methoxyflurane
Trichlorethylene
Cyclopropane
Chloroform
Mnemonic: Halo Metri, Cycle se Chalo
 17
Radiology

CSF spreading tumours

Germ cell tumour
Medulloblastoma
Ependymoma
Primary CNS lymphoma
High grade astrocytoma
Choriocarcinoma
Mnemonic: German MELA Chor
HRCT-ILD, bronchiectasis and CSF leak
Radiation effects
Deterministic effectsSeverity of effect is dependent upon
dose
These effects have a threshold
Mnemonic: DTS
Stochastic effectsprobability of effect is dependent upon
dose
Note: S is not S

Pure beta emitters P 32

Sr 90
Y 90
H3
Mnemonic: HSPY
1125 60 days
1131 8 days
1123 13 hrs
1132 2.3 hrs
184
 Radiology 185

Superior rib notching

Hyperparathyroidism
Connective tissue diseases RA, SLE, Scleroderma
Sjgren syndrome
Mnemonic: RS3
Poliomyelitis
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Restrictive lung disease
Marfans syndrome
Neurofibromatosis
Mnemonic: Parathyroid connect, Post and restrict Marfan to
neuro
Inferior rib notching
Coarctation of aorta
Pulmonary oligemia
Aortic thrombosis
Subclavian obstruction
Blalock-Taussig operation
Mnemonic: CAPAST
Prophylactic craniospinal irradiation is useful in CNS
malignancy which shows dissemination via CSF or any
malignancy with high risk of CNS spread.
Medulloblastoma
Glioblastoma
Germinoma
Small cell Ca of lung
ALL
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
Groundglass appearance of the lungdifferential diagnosis
TAPVC (obstructive)
Persistent pulmonary hypertension
Respiratory distress syndrome
Pneumonia (bacterial and meconium aspiration)
Pulmonary lymphangiectasia
 18
Psychiatry

Level of intelligence Mental age

Idiot 024 < 3 yrs life support
Imbecile 2549 37 yrs trainable
Moron 5069 710 yrs educable
Border line 7079
Mnemonic: IIM Bangalore
Intelligence quotient
Profound < 20
Severe 2035
Moderate 3550
Mild 5070
Disorganized schizophrenia
Attention deficits and cognition defects
Disorganized behaviour
Disorganized speech
Mnemonic: ABCDS
Disorder Most common type of delusion
Mania Delusion of grandeur
Depression Nihilistic delusion
Delirium Transient delusion
Schizophrenia Delusion of persecution/ reference /control/
infidelity/passivity
Patients with multiple somatic complaints that cannot be
explained may have
Hypochondriasis
Somatization disorder
Malingering
Factitious illness
186
 Psychiatry 187

Difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa
Feature Refusal to maintain Irresistible craving for
body weight above food with episodes of
a minimum normal overeating in less time
(binge eating)
Method Very less eating Attempts to counteract
of weight the effects of overeating
control byself-induced vomi-
tings purgative abuse
periods of starvation
appetite suppressants
Ritualized Common Rare
exercise
Amenorrhea 100% 50%
Decreased Common Uncommon
vitals
BP, pulse
Hypothermia Common Rare
Skin changed Common Rare
(hirsutism)
Medical Hypokalemia Hypokalemia
complications Cardiac arrhythmias Cardiac arrhythmias
Note: In bulimia, Dental caries are frequent because of high
carbohydrate content in the diet.
Antisocial behaviour, e.g. stealing, alcohol, drug abuse is
common
Prognosis is worse.
Mnemonic: DAW

Difference between delirium and dementia

Delirium Dementia
Onset Acute Insidious
Consciousness Clouded Normal
Orientation Grossly disturbed Disturbed only, in late
stages
Memory Immediate and Immediate is normal
 188 Mnemonics

recent disturbed recent and remote

disturbed
Perception Visual illusion and Hallucination may
hallucination is occur
common
Diurnal Marked Absent
variation (Sundowning)
Dissociative fugue
Sudden onset of complete amnesia for his earlier life
Patient usually wander away from home
Adopts a new purposeful identity
Absence of awareness of amnesia
Catatonic signs
Mutism Absence of speech
Rigidity Maintenance of rigid posture against efforts to
be moved
Posturism Voluntary assumption of bizarre, inappropriate
posture for long period of time
Negativism Resistance to all commands and attempts to be
moved
Echolalia Repetition, mimicking of actions observed
Waxy Parts of body can be placed in positions that
flexibility will be maintained for long periods of time
even if very uncomfortable flexible like wax
Mannerism
Automatic Commands are followed automatically,
obedience irrespective of their nature.
Mechanism of depressionDeficiency of monoamines
Serotonin (5 HT) > Noradrenaline > Dopamine
Mnemonic: SeND
 19
Orthopedics

Klippel-Feil syndrome
TriadShort (web) neck
Low hair line
Restriction of neck motion
Mnemonic: SLR
Risk of progression of vertebral anomalies in decreasing order
Unsegmented bar
Hemivertebra
Wedge vertebra
Block vertebra
Mnemonic: Unique History of West Bengal (UH of WB)
Reconstruction of an amputated limb: Order of repair
Bone
Extensor tendons
Flexor tendons
Arteries
Nerves
Vein
Mnemonic: BE FAN Vein
Test for anterior shoulder instability
Anterior shoulder instability
Apprehension test (Crank test)
Relocation test
Fulcrum test
Mnemonic: FRANKCRANK
189
 190 Mnemonics

Tests for posterior shoulder instability

Jahnke test
Jerk test
Posterior drawer test
Posterior apprehension test
Push-pull test
Circumduction test
Mnemonic: JPC
Also remember: Test for inferior shoulder instabilitysulcus
test
Albright-McCune syndrome
Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia
Pseudo precocious puberty
Pigmentation
Mnemonic: 3P
Mazabraud syndrome
Myxoma of soft tissues
Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia
Sulcus test
Tarsal tunnel syndrome may be caused by rheumatoid
arthritis
Mnemonic: Tunnel in room
Metastasis distal to knee and elbow is rare and usually arises
from a primary tumours of the
Bladder
Bronchus
Colon
Mnemonic: BBC: One from thorax, abdomen and pelvis each
Casts and splints
Minerva castCervical spine fracture
Mnemonic: Mice
ScoliosisRissers localiser cast, Turn buckle cast
Milwaukee brace
Boston brace
Mnemonic: Ritu Mili Boss
 Orthopedics 191

Risk factors associated with shoulder dystocia

Diabetes
Obesity
Post-term
Excess weight gain during pregnancy
Mnemonic: DOPE
Non-odontogenic cysts
Nasolabial cysts
Nasopalatine cysts
Mnemonic: N for N
Pseudocysts
Static bone cysts
Traumatic bone cysts
Aneurysmal bone cyst
Ganglion cysts
Mnemonic: STAN GAN
Ossicular joints
Incudo-Malleolar jointSaddle type of synovial joint
Incudo-Stapedial jointBall and socket type of synovial joint
Mnemonic: Ball IS MISS
Ligament of HumphreyAnterior menisco-femoral ligament
Ligament of WrisbergPosterior menisco-femoral ligament
Mnemonic: Humpy Antie
Knee joint
Unlocking is brought about by popliteus muscle
Mnemonic: UP
LockingQuadriceps femoris
Mnemonic: Q-locked
Myositis ossificans progressiva
Muscles that are characteristically spared
Smooth muscles
Cardiac muscles
Diaphragm
 192 Mnemonics

Extraocular muscles
Mnemonic: Smooth CDE
ODonogues triad (unhappy triad)
Anterior cruciate ligament AC
Medial collateral ligament MC
Medial meniscus MM
Mnemonic: AC MC MM
Plaster casts and their uses
Humerus fractureHanging cast and U slab.
Mnemonic: Hu-Hu
A spica is a cast where a limb and a part of the trunk are
included, e.g. hip spica (fracture femur)
Shoulder spica (shoulder immobilization)
Patellar tendon bearing castfracture of tibia
Cylinder cast (tube cast)fracture patella (fracture around
knees)
Common sites for bone tumors
EpiphysisChondroblastoma
Giant cell tumor
Mnemonic: ECG (GCCB)
Diaphysis Adamantinoma
Multiple myeloma
Ewings sarcoma
Eosinophilic granuloma (Langerhans cell
histiocytosis)
Osteoid osteoma
Mnemonic: Dia add multiple wing to Eosinophil of osteoma
Markers of bone formation
Serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase
Serum propeptide or type I procollagen
Serum osteocalcin
Mnemonic: Alka Type Osteocalcin for bone formation
Management of idiopathic clubfoot
So Soft tissue release < 3 yrs
 Orthopedics 193

Evans Evans 48 yrs

Was Wedge resection 811yrs
Treated Triple arthrodesis > 12 yrs
Intelligently Ilizarov Old/neglected
club foot
Erbs palsy Klumpkes palsy
Upper obstetric palsy Lower obstetric palsy
Mnemonic: L for L
C5C6 roots affected C8Tl, roots affected
Waiters tip deformity Generalized wasting of all intrinsic
muscles and claw hand deformity
Ipsilateral Horner syndrome (due to TI)
Pyogenic arthritisbony ankylosis
(B for bacteria, B for bony)
Tubercular arthritisfibrous ankylosis
(Exceptiontubercle spine has bony ankylosis)
Idiopathic osteoarthritis
Herbedens nodesbony enlargement of DIP joint
Mnemonic: HerDip (herdip)
It is also MC form of idiopathic osteoarthritis.
Bouchards nodesbony enlargement of PIP joint
Common sites of avascular necrosis
Head of femur Fracture through neck of femur, post-
dislocation of hip
Proximal pole of scaphoidfracture through waist of
scaphoid
Body of talusfracture through neck of talus
Lunatedislocation
Common sites of non-union of fracture
Scaphoid
Neck of femur
Talus
Lateral condyles of humerus
Lower third of Ulna
Lower third of tibia
Mnemonic: SNT LUT
 194 Mnemonics

Common sites of malunion of fracture

Supracondylar fracture
Colles fracture
Intertrochanteric fracture
Mnemonic: SCIT
Osteochondritis: A group of miscellaneous affection of the
growing epiphysis, which cause them to be temporarily
softened and liable to be deformed by pressure.
Common osteochondritis
Crushing osteochondritis (due to avascular necrosis)
Perthes disease Femoral head (commonest)
Pannrs disease Capitulum
Mnemonic: Pan in Cap
Keinbocks disease Lunate
Mnemonic: Luna Keino
Kohlers disease Navicular bone
Mnemonic: Navi Kohli
Freibergs disease Head of metatarsal
Mnemonic: HMT Free
Scheumanns disease Ring epiphysis of vertebrae
Mnemonic: Man in Ring
Calves disease Central bony nucleus of vertebral
body
Mnemonic: Central cave
Traction osteochondritis (due to chronic strain or apophysitis)
Osgood-Shlatter disesaseTibial tubercle
Mnemonic: tt = tt
Severs disease Calcaneal tuberosity
Mnemonic: Severe Calca
Larsen-Johansson disease lower pole of patella
Mnemonic: Patel Son Sen
Splitting osteochondritis (trauma plays major role)
Osteochondritis dessican MC site is femoral condyle
 Orthopedics 195

Hip deformity following a history of severe trauma

Posterior dislocation of hipFlexion + Adduction + Internal
Rotation + Shortening (FADIR)
Fracture neck of femurFlexion + Adduction + External
Rotation + Shortening (FADER)
Fracture intertrochanteric femurFADER (exaggerated)
Anterior dislocation of lipFlexion + Abduction + External
Rotation + Shortening (FABER)
Tuberculosis hip
Stage of synovitis FABER (apparent lengthening)
Stage of arthritis FADIR (apparent shortening)
Stage of erosion FADIR (true shortening)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Swan-neck deformity Hyperextension at PIP joint
Hyperflexion at DIP joint.
Mnemonic: HEPIP of Swan
Boutonniere deformity Hyperflexion at PIP joint
Hyperextexnsion at DIP joint
Mnemonic: BDE-PF
Impacted fractures are commonly seen in
Surgical neck of humerus
Neck of femur
Lower end of radius
Mnemonic: Impacted SuNiL
Triple arthrodesisFusion of three joints of foot
Talonavicular joint
Subtalar joint
Calcaneocuboid joint
Mnemonic: TN ST CaCu
Common sites of origin of osteosarcoma in decreasing order
of frequency:
Lower end of femur
Upper end of tibia
Upper end of humerus
Involvement of joints in different types of arthritis
 196 Mnemonics

Osteoarthritis Sparing of wrist and metacarpophal-

angeal joints (MCP joint) with involvement
of base of thumb is characteristic feature
Mnemonic: Sparing of WM in OA
Joints involved DIP: Heberdens nodes MC form of idio-
pathic osteoarthritis
Mnemonic: Her DIP
PIP: Bouchards nodes
Thumb base (carpometacarpal joint)
(second MC joint)
Knee
Spine
Rheumatoid arthritis: DIP is not involved.
Axial involvement is limited to upper cervical
spine, usualy lumbar spine is not involved.
14 possible joint areas involved (left and right)
Wrist
Ankle
Knee
Elbow
Metatarsophalangeal
MCP
PIP
Mnemonic: DIP joint is not involved in RADNR
Wake MMP
Psoriatic arthritis: Any joint may be involved
Disease limited to involvement of a single/few small joints
(70%)
Seronegative, RA like symmetrical arthritis
Involvement of DIP
Severe destructive arthritis with development of arthritis
mutilans
Disease limited to the spine.
Pivot shift test is used in cases of anterolateral instability
where injured structure include:
Anterior cruciate ligament
Lateral capsule
Lateralcollateral ligament
 Orthopedics 197

Swelling of joint
X-ray
MRI
Aspiration (for culture)
Swelling of joint
Mnemonic: X MAS
Epithelial tumors of bone
AdamantinomaTibia
Mnemonic: Ad on Tb
AmeloblastomaMandible
Mnemonic: Mandi ka mela
Bone metastasis
BPLBreast carcinoma, Prostate carcinoma, Lung carcinoma
Pure osteoblasticProstate carcinoma
Carcinoid tumor
Medulloblastoma
Mnemonic: PCM
Breast carcinomaMixed
Osteolytic (2/3rd) > osteolytic (1/3rd)
Olliers syndromeOnly enchondroma
Mnemonic: O for O
Maffucci syndromeMultiple enchondroma and cavernous
hemangioma
Mnemonic: M for M
Coast of MaineMcCune-Albright syndrome (margins are
irregular)
Mnemonic: M for M
Coast of CaliforniaNeurofibromatosis (margins are regular)
Poor factors of rheumatoid arthritis:
RF
Acute phase reactants/advanced age
One year
 198 Mnemonics

Nodules
Erosion/ESR
Mnemonic: RAONE
MESSMangled extremity severity score. It tells about the
survival of a limb after crushing injury.
VVelocity of trauma
IIschemia
SShock
AAge.
Housemaid kneePrepatellar bursitis
Clergyman kneeInfrapatellar bursitis
Mnemonic: Pre-maid, i.e. Pramod
Nerve injury in supracondylar humerus fractureAnterior
interosseous > Median > Radial > Ulnar nerve.
Mnemonic: AMRU
Colles fractureExtra-articular fracture of distal end of radius
with
SSupination of distal fragment
LLateral displacement (tilt, shift)
IImpaction
PPosterior displacement (tilt, shift)
TreatmentHand shaking cast.
Trendelenberg test
Normal hipNegative
Hip abductorsGluteus medius > Gluteus minimus
Superior gluteal nerve
Drop of pelvis on opposite sidePositive
Mnemonic: DROP
If bilateral dropWaddling gait
Kochers maneuver is the most common maneuver used to
reduce shoulder dislocation. It involves
Traction
 Orthopedics 199

External rotation
Adduction
Internal rotation
Mnemonic: TEDI
Vertebra planaCoin like vertebra. Seen in
MMetastasis
EEosinophilic granuloma
LLymphoma
TTrauma and very rarely TB