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…

Germ Layer Derivatives – Mnemonics
Principle of Germ Layer Segmentation Ectoderm gives further rise to neuroectoderm and neural crest cells. Endoderm remains intact. Mesoderm gives further rise to paraxial mesoderm (somitomeres and 35 pairs of somites), intermediate mesoderm, and lateral mesoderm: General Rule for Germ Layer Derivatives Ectodermal derivatives: 1. Everything that makes you attractive: Skin, hair,…

Omental Cake
Definition of Omental Caking Thickening of the omentum resulting from localized or diffuse infiltration of omental fat by soft tissue density mass is referred as “omental caking”. It is a radiological sign, which is often identified in CT scan. Involved Anatomical Structure in Omental Caking Greater Omentum – an extension of…

Lhermitte’s Sign
Synonym: Lhermitte’s phenomenon, Barber chair phenomenon Definition of Lhermitte’s Sign Lhermitte’s sign (pronounced Ler-meets) is an electric shock-like sensations, spreading along the spine in a cervico-caudal direction and into the arms and legs felt upon active or passive flexion of the neck. Reverse Lhermitte’s Sign is defined when symptoms are…

VOMIT Pathway – Propionyl CoA Intermediate
Propionyl CoA is a common intermediate in catabolism of essential amino acids and odd chain fatty acids. It is also called VOMIT pathway which stands for: Valine Odd chain fatty acids Methionine Isoleucine Threonine They enter TCA cycle – using PMS pathway: Propionyl CoA Methylmalonyl CoA Succinyl CoA Defects in…

Heme Synthesis and Defects Simplified
Structure of Heme Heme is a ferro-proto-porphyrin. Heme = Protoporphyrin IX ring + Iron (Fe) in center Protoporphyrin IX = porphyrin with attachment to 4 Methyl, 2 Propionyl and 2 Vinyl groups. Porphyrin = Cyclic structure with 4 pyrrole rings Pyrrole rings are derived from Porphobilinogen (PBG) Hydroxymethylbilane = Linear…

Ischemic Heart Disease Pathophysiology
Definitions of Related Terms A) Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD): It is the imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand, resulting in myocardial hypoxia and accumulation of waste metabolites. The components of IHD are: Stable Angina Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) B) Stable Angina: Pattern of chronic, predictable, transient chest discomfort during…

Medical Humanities in Nepal
The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business; a calling in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head. – Mark E Silverman Shapiro et.al. defined medical humanities with characteristic features: Use of methods, concepts, and content from one or more…