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…
Category: PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS
Medical knowledge in bullet points with understandable language, simplified images and graspable mnemonics.
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Prostate – Applied Anatomy
Embryology and Development of Prostate Gland Time: During 3rd month of gestation Fetal testosterone is converted by 5α-reductase into 5α-Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone stimulates urogenital sinus mesenchyme, which in turn stimulates formation of prostatic buds (endodermal outhgrowths) from posterior urogenital sinus epithelium. Prostatic buds invade into urogenital sinus mesenchyme. Differentiation:…
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 –…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
CSF Circulation Made Simple
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Production and Absorption CSF is produced by the choroid plexus that lines the ventricles. Choroid plexus = Infoldings of blood vessels of piamater + Modified ciliated ependymal cells Tight junctions of the choroid plexus cells form Blood-CSF barrier. CSF is reabsorbed by arachnoid granulations to enter dural…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Breast Cancer Screening
ACS recommendations (2015) For women with average risk: 40-44 years: mammogram on patient’s choice 45-54 years: mammogram yearly >54 years: mammogram 2 yearly or yearly based on patient’s choice Women must be informed on the benefits and harms of mammographic screening Regular clinical breast exam and breast self-exam are not…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Breast Cancer Risk Factors with Mnemonics
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BREAST CANCER Incidence: In general, less industrialized nations tend to have lower rates of breast cancer, with Japan being an exception to this rule. The highest rates are seen in Europe and North America. Age at onset: Race: incidence is higher among white women than African- American woman, but the mortality is higher…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Thalamic Connections Mnemonic
Structure of Thalamus A vertical “Y” shaped white mater – internal medullary lamina divides thalamus into: In anatomical position: Pulvinar = Posterior end or posterior pole of thalamus Thalamic Connections Picture mnemonic Remember the schematic diagram drawn below showing important parts of thalamus in an anticlockwise fashion: Now, we assign…