Circle of Willis is an important arterial communication that supplies the forebrain (telencephalon, diencephalon and optic vesicle) and often frequently tested in the exams. Circle of Willis receives blood from: Here, we will learn a mnemonic to draw the circle of willis and intracranial course of Internal Carotid Artery (ICA)….
Author: Dr. Sulabh Kumar Shrestha, MS Orthopedics
He is the section editor of Orthopedics in Epomedicine. He searches for and share simpler ways to make complicated medical topics simple. He also loves writing poetry, listening and playing music.
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Cerebral Cortex Layers (Microanatomy) Simplified
The neocortex have 6 layers and allocortex have only 3 layers. The 6 layers of Neocortex: Orientation of layers: Outer: Towards meaninges Inner: Towards white matter Idea about the layers: Molecular or plexiform: Only cell processes Granular layer: Densely packed stellate cells Pyramidal layer: Medium and Large pyramidal cells Multiform…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Limbic System Simplified
Limbic system is complex both structurally and functionally. It is located on either side of the thalamus, immediately below the cerebrum and consists of both the grey mater and white mater. Let us simplify the structure of limbic system: Hypothalamus is central to the limbic system Limbic cortex: 2 “C”…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Nuclei of Hypothalamus – Mnemonic
Hypothalamus is composed of several nuclei with different important functions – hence, it is important and confusing at the same time. I have devised a pictorial or visual mnemonic to make things easier for you. Hypothalamus is a Cow Imagine a Crying and Farting Cow when recalling the Hypothalamus. Preoptic:…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Auditory Pathway Mnemonic
Auditory Pathway Component Mnemonic E.C.O.L.I.M.A Ascending from peripheral to central the components are: Ear receptors (Hair cells) in Cochlea and Eighth Cranial nerve (CN VIII) Cochlear nucleus Superior Olivary nucleus Lateral lemniscus Inferior colliculus Medial geniculate body Auditory cortex Explanation of the Mnemonic Ear receptors and Eighth cranial nerve (Organ…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
How to draw Medulla Oblongata Cross-section ?
Like in Midbrain and Pons: Corticospinal tract passes ventrally Ventricular system is located dorsally in midline Cranial nerve nuclei are located just anterior to the ventricle Medial longitudinal fasciculus is present around the center Another important thing to remember is that, the caudal medulla resembles “spinal cord“: Circular in shape…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
How to Draw Pons Cross-section ?
Pons in latin, refers to a “bridge”. Pons varolli is a part of brain-stem, that links thalamus with medulla oblongata. The cross-section of pons is similar to the midbrain as described earlier but few things must be kept in mind: The orientation of lemnisci in midbrain is more or less…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
How to Draw Midbrain Cross-section ?
The cross-section of midbrain can be compared to the “upside down striped face of a red-eyed demon“. Using this analogy of a demon face, lets assign the structures found on the cross-section of midbrain: Ear = Crus cerebri Medial – frontopontine fibers Middle – corticonuclear and corticospinal tract Lateral –…