Cephalosporins are one of the most widely prescribed antimicrobial drugs. They can be classified into 5 to generations and the medical students often have hard time remembering the names of drugs falling into different generations as the names appear and sound similar. This is a collection of mnemonics from different…
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 
Anatomy of Ostiomeatal complex
Synonyms: Ostiomeatal unit, Osteomeatal complex, OMC Definition: The term “ostiomeatal unit” represents the area on the lateral nasal wall (middle meatus) that receives drainage from the anterior and medial ethmoid cells, frontal sinus, and maxillary sinus. It is an antomically constricted area that is prone to blockage, especially in the…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Triangles and Lymph node levels of Neck
There are 2 major triangles in the neck, containing other smaller triangles. 1. Anterior triangle: Midline of neck – Mandible – Anterior border of SCM Posterior triangle: Posterior border of SCM – Trapezius – Clavicle (level V); 2 triangles inside separated by inferior belly of omohyoid Surgically, cervical lymph nodes…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Approaches to Middle ear and Mastoid surgery
Endomeatal (Transcanal or Transmeatal) Approach: Not used commonly in children owing to relatively small ear canal This incision is used when the mesotympanum and hypotympanum are the surgical sites A posterior tympanomeatal flap is raised to enter into the middle ear. The flap includes skin over the medial two-thirds of the bony…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Cavernous Sinus – Simplified
Synonyms: Sinus cavernosus, Lateral sellar compartment Definition and Extent Size: 2 cm long and 1 cm wide Walls: Extent: Contents of Cavernous sinus These are closely related to the floor of sinus and are separated from the interior of sinus by endothelium. 4 nerves in the lateral wall: Note: Mandibular…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Thyroglossal Duct Cyst
Synonyms: Thyroglossal cyst, Thyrolingual cyst, Thyroglossal duct remnant, TGDC, TDC, TGDR Definition: Thyroglossal duct cyst is a congenital malformation that occurs due to incomplete closure of the thyroglossal duct which presents as a cystic midline neck swelling at birth. Thyroglossal fistulas are usually recognized by their external opening (typically located…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Differential diagnoses of Neck Swellings
Triangles of Neck The following anatomic points define the anterior compartment/triangle of the neck: Contents: larynx, trachea, esophagus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, carotid sheath, and suprahyoid and infrahyoid strap muscles. Submandibular triangle: region contained in the anterior neck bordered by the inferior margin of the mandible and the digastric, stylohyoid, and mylohyoid muscles. This region contains…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Glaucomatous Optic Disc Changes Made Simple
Optic disc changes in Glaucoma is one of the most frequently asked topics in Ophthalmology. However, students are often found to have difficulty in understanding and remembering them. Hence, I came up with an idea to illustrate them with schematic diagrams and mnemonics to simplify the topic. The diagrams are…