Spinal segment: The part of spinal cord to which a pair of spinal nerves (right and left) is attached. Cause of mismatch between spinal segments and vertebral level: General rule: Vertebral level Add Spinal segment Cervical + 0 Same C7-T1 C8 T1-T3 +1 T1-T4 T3-T6 +2 T5-T8 T7-T8 +3 T9-T11…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Median, Ulnar and Radial Nerve – Course and Innervation
Median nerve, Ulnar nerve and Radial nerve are the 3 major nerves of the upper limb originating from the brachial plexus. Some important neuroanatomic relationships in the forearm are: 1. Medial nerve: Crossed by brachial artery from lateral to medial just above the elbow to lie medial to brachial artery…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Mediastinum : Simplified
It is the region in thoracic cavity between the pulmonary cavities (covered by mediastinal pleura and excludes the lungs). Extent: Thoracic outlet (1st rib) to Diaphragm (T12) Superior mediastinum: Upper extent Thoracic outlet Contents (superficial to deep) 1. Glands (Thymus and Lymph nodes)2. 3 Veins (Brachiocephalic Lt. and Rt. and…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Thoracic Diaphragm : Mnemonics
Embryology Mnemonic: Several Parts Build Diaphragm Embryonic components Parts of Diaphragm 1. Septum transversum Tendinous portion (Central tendon) 2. Pleuroperitoneal folds Muscular portion 3. Body wall muscles Muscular portion 4. Dorsal mesentery of esophagus Crura 3 Major Openings of Diaphragm Mnemonics: 1. I Eat Apples 8, 10, 12 or 2….
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Superior Orbital Fissure (SOF): Mnemonics
Superior Orbital Fissure (SOF) is a cleft between greater and lesser wing of sphenoid which connects orbit and middle cranial fossa. It is divided into 3 compartments by the tendinous ring (annulus of Zinn). Superior orbital fissure alone (Lateral compartment): Mnemonic: LFTS Superior orbital fissure in tendinous ring (Intermediate compartment):…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
ANCA : Mnemonics
ANCA = Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies Types Mnemonics: 1. “P” is not going with “P”2. p-ANCA is positively charged and hence, attacks negatively charged MPO (free radicals)3. c-ANCA (C is 3rd letter) attacks PR-3 ANCA positive conditions 1. c-ANCA: Mnemonic: Common Wealth Games 2. p-ANCA: Most of other conditions are p-ANCA…
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Paranasal sinus drainage in Nasal cavity : Mnemonic
Lateral wall of nasal cavity has: Mnemonic: SPIN 1. Superior meatus: Posterior ethmoidal sinus 2. Inferior meatus: Nasolacrimal duct The sphenoidal sinus drains into spheno-ethmoidal recess (superior to superior concha). All others drain into middle meatus: Mnemonic: AM/FM
PGMEE, MRCS, USMLE, MBBS, MD/MS 
Adenoma-Carcinoma Sequence in Colorectal Cancer : Mnemonic
Adenoma-carcinoma sequence is a stepwise development of normal epithelium to carcinoma due to accumulation of mutations over a number of years leading to activation of oncogenes and loss of tumor suppressor genes. One of the pathways follows adenoma–carcinoma sequence, that is, normal → adenoma → carcinoma. The other is pertaining…