Anatomy: Retropharyngeal space: Extends from the base of the skull down to the level of the carina, and is located between the buccopharyngeal mucosa and the prevertebral fascia. Prevertebral space: A potential space that is located between the anterior aspect of the vertebral body and the prevertebral fascia. It is located directly posterior to…
Category: Clinical Skills and Approaches
History taking and examination skills and Flowchart approaches to commonly encountered medical conditions and diseases.
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Digital Clubbing
Synonyms: Hippocratic fingers, Acropachy, Dysacromelia, Drumstick fingers, Watch glass nails, Parrot beak fingers, Serpent head nails, Lovibond’s sign Definition Focal and bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges due to proliferation of connective tissue between the fingernail and the bone with increase in both the longitudinal and transverse curvatures of the…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Edema – Physical Examination
Synonyms: Oedema, Swelling Definition of Edema Accumulation of excessive amount of fluid in the extravascular interstitial space of the body. Interstitial space is the extravascular compartment of the extracellular fluid and surrounds the cells of a given tissue. Anasarca is a severe and generalized edema with profound subcutaneous tissue swelling. Further…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Cyanosis
Synonyms: Morbus coeruleus, Blue disease Definition of Cyanosis Cyanosis is the bluish discoloration of the skin, mucous membrane and nail bed usually owing to atleast 5 gm/dl of reduced hemoglobin/deoxyhemoglobin or abnormal hemoglobin derivatives (eg. methemoglobin, sulfhemoglobin, etc.) circulating within the superficial dermal capillaries and subpapillary venous plexus (not, as commonly taught, the…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Jugular Venous Pulse and Pressure (JVP) Examination
Definition of Jugular venous Pulse and Pressure Jugular venous pulse is defined as the oscillating top of vertical column of blood in the right Internal Jugular Vein (IJV) that reflects the pressure changes in the right atrium in cardiac cycle. Jugular venous pressure (JVP) is the vertical height of oscillating…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Icterus
Synonyms: Jaundice Definition of Icterus Icterus is the yellowish discoloration of skin and mucous membrane and body fluids (CSF, joint fluid, cysts) evident as a result of hyperbilirubinemia with subsequent deposition of bile pigments in tissue which is rich in elastin. The Greeks claimed the sight of an oriole would…
Clinical Skills and Approaches 
Pallor
Synonyms: Paleness Definition of Pallor Pallor is the paleness of skin and mucous membranes, due to the reduced amount of oxyhemoglobin or decreased peripheral perfusion. Sites to look for pallor Lower palpebral conjunctiva Tip and dorsum of the tongue Soft palate Nail beds Palmar or plantar creases General body skin…