Anatomy Mnemonics for MBBS Students First Year Notes

Many students often find themselves in trouble with First year Anatomy Mnemonics during MBBS. Indeed they work hard compared to their upcoming semesters, but still, they find it difficult to handle the stress. They move towards making short notes and mnemonics and waste a lot of time.

Here, we have made some mnemonics for those students looking for Anatomy Mnemonics, including Upper Limb, Lower Limb, Thorax, and Head & Neck. Just save the page or bookmark us so you don’t spend your crucial time before exams making mnemonics.

Anatomy Mnemonics

Below are the anatomy mnemonics you will ever need. They are a mixture of the Upper limb, Lower limb, Thorax, and Head & Neck. If you have any other, please do mention them in the comments section below, we will love to update them with your help!

Deep Muscles of the Back

• “I Love Spaghetti – Some More Ragu”: Iliocostalis, Longissimis, Spinalis – Semispinalis, Multifidus, Rotatores

Brachial Plexus

• “Really Thirsty? Drink Cold Beer” or “Randy Travis Drinks Cold Beers”: Roots, Trunks, Divisions, Cords, Branches
• “MARMU” (terminal nerves): Musculocutaneous, Axillary, Radial, Median, Ulnar

Muscles Inserting into Humerus

• “A lady between two majors”

The Pectoralis major attaches to the lateral lip of the bicipital groove, the teres major attaches to the medial lip of the bicipital groove, and the latissimus dorsi attaches to the floor of the bicipital groove. The “late” is between two “majors”

Carpal Bones

(4 proximal, lateral to medial; 4 distal, lateral to medial)

• “She Looks Too Pretty Try To Catch Her” (Thanks to Naman Sachdeva for this)
• “Some Lovers/Lions Try Positions That They Can’t Handle”:

Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezoid, Trapezium, Capitate, Hamate.

• “TrapeziUM at the thUMb”
• “TrapeziOID is inSIDE”

“Flexor carpi superficialis splits in two, to permit profundus to pass through”

Radial Nerve Innervations

• “BEST”: Brachioradialis, Extensors, Supinator, Triceps.

Median Nerve Innervations

• “2LOAF”: Lateral 2 Lumbricals, Opponens pollicis, Abductor pollicis brevis, Flexor pollicis brevis.

Rotator Cuff Muscles

(3 greater tubercle; 1 lesser tubercle)

• “SITS”: Superspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis

Transverse Scapular Ligament

• Army over (bridge), Navy under (bridge)
• Artery goes over and Nerve goes under the ligament

Cubital Fossa

(lateral to medial)

• “TAN”: Tendon (biceps brachii), Artery (brachial), Nerve (medial)

Hand

• “PAD”: Palmar (hand) muscles ADduct
• “DAB”: Dorsal (hand) muscles ABduct
• “All For One And One For All” (medial to lateral):

Abductor digiti minimi, Flexor digiti minimi, Opponens digiti minimi, Adductor policis, Opponens pollicis, Flexor pollicis brevis, Abductor pollicis brevis

Axillary Artery Branches

• “Save The Lions And Protect Species”: Supreme/Superior Thoracic Artery,

Thoracoacromial Artery, Lateral Thoracic, Anterior Circumflex Humeral, Posterior Circumflex Humeral, Subscapular (thoracodorsal and circumflex scapular)

Thoracoacromial Artery Branches

• “CAlifornia Police Department”: Clavicular, Acromial, Pectoral, Deltoid

Pectoral Nerves

• “Lateral is less, medial is more”

Lateral pectoral nerve goes through the pectoralis major, while the medial pectoral nerve goes through both the pectoralis major and minor.

Deep Posterior Leg Muscles

• “Down The Hatch”: flexor Digitorum longus, Tibialis posterior, flexor Hallucis longus

Medial Malleolus

(anterior to posterior)

• “Tom, Dick, And Very Nervous Harry”

Tibialis posterior, flexor Digitorum longus tendon, posteriotibial Artery, posteriotibial Vein, tibial Nerve, flexor Hallucis longus

SGT FOS

(connections to pes anserinus)

Sartorius (Femoral nerve), Gracilis (Obturator nerve), SemiTendinosus (Sciatic nerve)

Femoral Triangle Boundaries

Please suggest any anatomy mnemonics for these if you have any. Here are ours:

• “So I May Always Love Sally”: Superiorly – Inguinal ligament, Medially – Adductor longus, Laterally – Sartorius

Order of Structures in Femoral Triangle / Groin

(lateral to medial)

• “NAVEL”: Nerve, Artery, Vein, Empty space, Lymphatics

Leg Anterior Compartment

• “The Hospitals Are Not Dirty Places”

Tibialis anterior, extensor Hallucis longus,anterior tibial Artery, deep fibular Nerve, extensor Digitorum longus, Peroneus Tertius

Cruciate Ligament Paths and Insertions

• “PAMs ApPLes”

Posterior [passes]; Anteriorly [and inserts] Medially; Anterior [passes]; Posteriorly [and inserts] Laterally

Terrible (Unhappy) Triad Knee Injury

(American football injury)

• “ATM” for money-maker

Anterior cruciate ligament, Tibial (medial) collateral ligament, Medial meniscus

Leg Nerves

• “FED”: Fibular nerve Everts and Dorsiflexes the foot
• “TIP”: Tibial nerve Inverts and Plantarflexes the foot

AFA 222 FAF

(plantar region of the foot)

• Layer 1: Abductor Hallucis, Flexor digitorum brevis, Abductor digiti minimi
• Layer 2: Two tendons (Flexor Hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus), Two muscles (lumbricles, quadratus plantae)
• Layer 3: Flexor Hallucis brevis, Adductor Hallucis (oblique and transverse heads), Flexor digiti minimi brevis

Tarsal Tunnel Contents

(superior to inferior)

• “Tiny Dogs Are Not Hunters”

Tibialis posterior, flexor Digitorum longus, posterior tibial Artery, tibial Nerve, flexor Hallucis longus

Inguinal Canal Walls

(superior moving around in order to posterior)

• “2MALT: 2M, 2A, 2L, 2T”

Superior wall (roof): 2 Muscles: internal oblique Muscle, transverse abdominus Muscle

Anterior wall: 2 Aponeuroses: Aponeurosis of external oblique, Aponeurosis of internal oblique

Lower wall (floor): 2 Ligaments: inguinal Ligament, lacunar Ligament

Posterior wall: 2Ts: Transversalis fascia, conjoint Tendon

Tarsal Bones

• “Traverse City (is) Noted (for) MIchigan’s Lovely Cherries”

Talus Calcaneus (new row), Navicular (new row), Medial Intermediate cuneiforms, Lateral cuneiform, Cuboid

Hip Lateral Rotators

(Femur Greater Trochanter Attachments)

• “P-GO-GO-Q”

Piriformis, Gemellus superior, Obturator internus, Gemellus inferior, Obturator externus and Quadratus femoris

Ribs (superior to inferior), Neck, and Sublingual Hiatus (medial to lateral)

• “VAN”

Vein, Artery, Nerve

Vagal Nerve Path Into Thorax

“Not Left Behind”: Left is anterior (not behind), Right is posterior

Lung Vessels

• “RALS”

Right lung artery is Anterior to the bronchus, Left lung artery is Superior to the bronchus

Structures Piercing The Diaphragm

• “I 8 10 Eggs At 12”

T8 = IVC, T10 = Esophagus, T12 = Aorta

Heart Valves

• “RAT, LAMB”

Right Atrial Tricuspid, Left Atrial Mitral (Bicuspid)

• “LAB RAT”

Left Atrial Bicuspid, Right Atrial Tricuspid

Spinal Nerves

The anatomy mnemonics for Spinal nerves are:

• “C3-4-5 keep the phrenic nerve (or diaphragm) alive”
• “C5-6-7 raise your arms to heaven” (long thoracic nerve roots innervate serratus anterior)

Scrotum Layers

(superficial to deep)

• “Some Dang Englishman Called It The Testis”

Skin, Dartos, External spermatic fascia, Cremaster, Internal spermatic fascia, Tunica vaginalis,Testis

Innervation of the Penis

• “S2,3,4 keep the penis off the floor”

Refers to the innervation of the penis by branches of the pudendal nerve, which is derived from spinal cord levels S2-4. The point, Shoot, Score is Parasympathetic for erection, Sympathetic for ejaculation.

Great Vessels

• “ABC’S”

Aortic arch gives off the Brachiocephalic trunk, the left Common carotid, and the left Subclavian artery

• “Boston College Stinks”

Right Brachiocephalic trunk, left Common carotid, left Subclavian artery

Portal Triad

• “DAV”

Bile Duct, Hepatic Artery, Portal Vein

Liver Lobes

• “GQ”

The Gallbladder is next to the Quadrate lobe

Pathway After Stomach

• “Dow Jones Industrial Climbing Average Closing Stock Report”

Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum, Cecum, Subacute Appendicitis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Radiology and Treatment OptionsAppendix, Colon (ascending/transverse), Sigmoid colon, Rectum

Spleen

• “1,3,5,7,9,11”

It measures 1x3x5 inches, weighs 7 ounces, and lies between ribs 9-11.

Thoracic Duct

• “The duck is between two gooses.”

duck = thoracic duct

2 gooses = azyGOUS vein and esophaGOUS

Epidermis

1. “Brent Spiner Gained Lieutenant Commander”

Basale, Spinosum, Granulosum, Lucidum, Corneum

Nasal Cavity Components

• “Never Call Me Needle Nose!”

external Nares, Conchae, Meatuses, internal Nares, Nasopharynx

Scalp Layers

(superficial to deep)

• “SCALP”

Skin, Connective tissue, Aponeurosis, Loose areolar tissue, Pericranium

Horner’s Syndrome Symptoms

• “SPAM”

Sunken eyeballs/Sympathetic plexus (cervical) affected, Ptosis, Anhydrosis, Miosis

Bell’s Palsy Symptoms

(Unilateral)

• “BELL’S Palsy”

Blink reflex abnormal, Earache, Lacrimation (deficient, excess), Loss of taste, Sudden onset, Palsy of VII nerve muscles

Potentially Absent Muscles

• “5 P’s”

Palmaris longus [upper limb], Plantaris [lower limb], Peroneus tertius [lower limb], Pyramidalis [anterior abdominal wall], and Psoas minor [posterior abdominal wall]

Facial Bones

• “Virgil Can Not Make My Pet Zebra Laugh!”

Vomer, Conchae, Nasal, Maxilla, Mandible, Palatine, Zygomatic, Lacrimal

Deep Tendon Reflexes Root Supply

(nursery rhyme)

• One, two– buckle my shoe
• Three, four– kick the door
• Five, six– pick up sticks.
• Seven, eight– shut the gate

S1,2 = ankle jerk

L3,4 = knee jerk

C5,6 = biceps and brachioradialis

C7,8 = triceps

Supra-orbital Fissure

Structures that pass through it:

• “Luscious French Tarts Sit Naked In Anticipation Of Sex.”

Lacrimal nerve, Frontal nerve, Trochlear nerve, Superior branch of oculomotor nerve, Nasociliary nerve, Inferior branch of oculomotor nerve, Abducent nerve, Ophthalmic veins, Sympathetic nerves

Cranial Bones

• “Old People From Texas Eat Spiders”

Occipital, Parietal, Frontal, Temporal, Ethnoid, Sphenoid

Cranial Nerves

The anatomy mnemonics for Cranial nerves given below are the best and most widely used by medical students. Perhaps you have heard of them already:

• I On (Olfactory)
• II Old (Optic)
• III Olympus (Oculomotor)
• IV Towering (Trochlear)
• V Tops, (Trigeminal)
• VI A (Abducens)
• VII Finn (Facial)
• VIII And (Auditory)
• IX German (Glossopharyngeal)
• X Viewed (Vagus)
• XI Astounding (Accessory)
• XII Hops (Hypoglossal)

Another one is: Oh Oh Oh Try Try Again Failure Victory Give Value And Happiness (Thanks to Ali for mentioning it in comments)

where O- Olfactory, O- Optic, O- Occulomotor, T- Trochlear, T- Trigeminal, A- Abducens, F- Facial, V-Vestibulocochlear (Auditory), G- Glossopharyngeal, V- Vagus, A- Accessory, H- Hypoglossal

• I Some (Sensory)
• II Say (Sensory)
• III Marry (primarily Motor)
• IV Money, (primarily Motor)
• V But (Both)
• VI My (primarily Motor)
• VII Brother (Both)
• VIII Says (Sensory)
• IX Big (Both)
• X Bras (Both)
• XI Matter (primarily Motor)
• XII More (primarily Motor)

Extraocular Muscles

Anatomy mnemonics for Extra-ocular muscles are:

• “LR6 – SO4 – rest3” or “(SO4LR6)3”

LR6 Lateral rectus –> VI abducens

SO4 Superior Oblique –> IV Trochlear

Remaining 4 eyeball movers –> III oculomotor

Branches of Subclavian Artery

• “VT is Cold”

Vertebral, Thyrocervical trunk, Costocervical trunk

External Carotid Artery Branches

• “Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students” or “Suzy Always Lays

Flat On Pillows Making Sweets Terrific”: Superior thyroid, Ascending pharyngeal, Lingual, Facial, Occipital, Posterior auricular, Maxillary, Superficial Temporal

Internal Jugular Vein

(inferior to superior)

• “Medical Schools Let Confident People In”

Middle thyroid, Superior thyroid, Lingual, Common facial, Pharyngeal, Inferior petrosal sinus

Facial Nerve Branches

• “Please, To Zanzibar By Motor Car” or “Ten Zombies Bought My Car”

Posterior auricular, Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Masseteric, Cervical

Trigeminal Nerve – Where Branches Exit Skull

• “Standing Room Only”

Superior orbital fissure (V1), foramen Rotundum (V2), foramen Ovale (V3)

Ansa Cervicalis Nerves

• “GHost THought SOmeone STupid SHot Irene”

GenioHyoid, ThyroHyoid, Superior Omohyoid, SternoThyfoid, SternoHyoid, Inferior omohyoid

Cervical Plexus – Arrangement of Important Nerves

• “GLAST”

4 compass points, clockwise from the north on the right side of the neck: Great auricular, Lesser occipital, Accessory nerve (pops out between L and S), Supraclavicular, Transverse cervical

CN V – V3 Innervated Muscles

(Brachial Arch 1 Derivatives)

• “M.D. My T.V.”

Mastication (masseter, temporalis, pterygoids), Digastric (anterior belly), MYlohyoid, tensor Tympani, tensor Veli palatine

V3 Sensory Branches

• “Buccaneers Are Inferior Linguists”

Buccal, Auriculotemporal, Inferior alveolar, Lingual

Facial Expression Muscles

(Making A Face To Say PSS)

• “PSS”

Posterior belly of digastric, Stapedius, Stylohyoid

Lacrimal Nerve Course

(Story of 8 L’s)

• Lacrimal nerve runs on Lateral wall of orbit above Lateral rectus, then Lets communicating branch join in, then supplies Lacrimal gland, then Leaves it and supplies Lateral upper eye Lid

Conclusion

These will help you in competitive exams such as NEET PG as well as PLAB. Additionally, some of them remain with us for a lifetime in our clinical practice.

Have any other anatomy mnemonics? Do share them in the comments section below, we will so love to hear new anatomy mnemonics from our readers!