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…
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 
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…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Epistaxis Basics : Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
Synonyms: Nosebleed, Nasal bleeding Definition: Epistaxis is defined as bleeding from the nasal cavity. It ranges from minor blood-tinged mucus when blowing the nose to life-threatening hemorrhage. Epidemiology: Age: Bimodal distribution – common in <10 years and >60 years Season: Winter Anatomy and Physiology: Why is the nose prone to…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
ECG changes in Pericarditis
Synonyms: Acute pericarditis, Viral pericarditis, Infectious pericarditis Definition: Diffuse inflammation of the pericardial lining surrounding the heart and characterized by sharp pleuritic, retrosternal chest pain worsened with recumbency and relieved by leaning forwards. Causes of Pericarditis: a. Infectious: Viral: Coxsackievirus, Echovirus, Ebstein-Barr virus, Influenza, HIV, Mumps virus Bacterial: Staphylococcus, Hemophilus,…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
ECG changes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Synonyms: Emphysema, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD), Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease (COAD), Smoker’s lung Definition: COPD is a lung disease characterized by airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 70%) that is not fully reversible (FEV1 increase of 200 ml and 12% improvement above baseline FEV1 following administration of…
Acute Dacryocystitis : Clinical review
Definition: Acute dacryocystitis is the inflammation of the lacrimal sac which usually occurs in very young children or > 40 years Microbiology of Acute Dacryocystitis: Congenital: Hemophilus influenzae (acute – rare), Others (chronic) Adults: Acute: Staphylococcus aureus, Beta-hemolytic streptococci Chronic: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Candida albicans Etiology of Acute Dacryocystitis: 1. Congenital:…