Physiology Mnemonics: Simplify Complex Body Functions
A
Adrenal cortex layers and products: “Go Find Rex, Make Good Sex“:
Layers:
- Glomerulosa
- Fasiculata
- Reticulata
- Respective products:
- Mineralcorticoids
- Glucocorticoids
- Sex hormones
- Alternatively for layers: GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate, convenient since adrenal glands are atop kidney).
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
Adrenal gland: functions: ACTH:
- Adrenergic functions
- Catabolism of proteins/ Carbohydrate metabolism
- T cell immunomodulation
- Hyper/ Hypotension (blood pressure control)
- Author: The Cashman University of Queensland, Australia
Alkalosis vs. acidosis: directions of pH and HCO3: ROME:
- Respiratory= Opposite:
- pH is high, PCO2 is down (Alkalosis).
- pH is low, PCO2 is up (Acidosis).
- Metabolic= Equal:
- pH is high, HCO3 is high (Alkalosis).
- pH is low, HCO3 is low (Acidosis).
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
B
Balance organs
- Utricle and Saccule keep US
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
C
Carotid sinus vs. carotid body function: carotid SinuS: measures preSSure.
- carotid bO2dy measures O2.
- Author: Omar Boissard, MD INTEC
Compliance of lungs factors: COMPLIANCE:
- Collagen deposition (fibrosis)
- Ossification of costal cartilages
- Major obesity
- Pulmonary venous congestion
- Lung size
- Increased expanding pressure
- Age
- No surfactant
- Chest wall scarring
- Emphysema
- All but L/A/E decrease compliance.
- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
D
Diabetes Insipidous: diagnosing subtypes: After a desmopression injection:
- Concentrated urine = C
- No effect = N
- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
E
Einthoven’s Triangle: organization: Corners are at RA (right arm), LA (left arm), LL (left leg).
- Number of L’s at a corner tell how many + signs are at that corner [eg LL is ++].
- Sum of number of L’s of any 2 corners tells the name of the lead [eg LL-LA is lead III].
- For reference axes, the negative angle hemisphere is on the half of the triangle drawing that has all the
- negative signs; positive angle hemisphere contains only positive signs.
- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
H
Hb-oxygen dissociation curve shifts: effect, location
- Left shift: causes Loading of O2 in L
- Right shift: causes Release of O2 from Hb.
- Author: Khawaja Atif Farooq Rawalpindi Medical College, Horizon Medical Institute, Pakistan
Heart electrical conduction pathway: “If patient’s family are all having Heart attacks, you must SAVe HIS KIN!”
- SA node —>
- AV node —>
- His (bundle of) –>
- PurKINje fibers
- Author: Carlo Adan, MPH University of Michigan
Hyperthyroidism: signs and symptoms: THYROIDISM:
- Tremor
- Heart rate up
- Yawning [fatigability]
- Restlessness
- Oligomenorrhea & amenorrhea
- Intolerance to heat
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Musle wasting & weight loss
- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
I
Intrinsic vs. extrinsic pathway tests: “PeT PiTTbull”:
- PeT: PT is for extrinsic pathway.
- PiTTbull: PTT is for intrinsic pathway.
- Author: Marcus James Fidel Medical Student, University of New Mexico
O
Osteoblast vs. osteoclast
- OsteoBlast Builds bone.
- OsteoClast Consumes bone.
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
P
PGI2 vs. TxA2 coagulation function
- TxA2 Aggregates platelets.
- PGI2 Inhibits aggregation.
- Note: full name of PGI2 is prostaglandin I2 or prostacyclin, full name of TxA2 is thromboxane A2.
- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
Pituitary hormones: FLAGTOP:
- Follicle stimulating hormone
- Lutinizing hormone
- Adrenocorticotropin hormone
- Growth hormone
- Thyroid stimulating hormone
- Oxytocin
- Prolactin
- Alternatively: GOAT FLAP with the second ‘A’ for Anti-diruetic homone/vasopressin
- Note: there is also melanocyte secreting homone and Lipotropin, but they are not well understood.
- Reference: http://medicalmnemonics.com/
Progesterone: actions: PROGESTE:
- Produce cervical mucous
- Relax uterine smooth muscle
- Oxycotin sensitivity down
- Gonadotropin [FSH, LH] secretions down
- Endometrial spiral arteries and secretions up
- Sustain pregnancy
- Temperature up / Tit development
- Excitability of myometrium down
- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
Prolactin and oxytocin: functions
- PROlactin stimulates the mammary glands to PROduce milk.
- Oxytocin stimulates the mammary glands to Ooze (release) milk.
- Author: Rinku Uberoi Willsey Institute
T
Temperature control: cerebral regions: “High Power Air Conditioner”:
- Heating = Posterior hipothalamo [hypothalamus].
- Anterior hipothalamo [hypothalamus] = C
- Author: Gilvano Amorim Oliveira Universidade de Santo Amaro São Paulo/Brasil
U
Urination: autonomic control: “When you pee, it’s PISs”:
- Parasympathetic Inhibits S
- Author: Muhammad Asif Iqbal Resident, SLU, MO
V
V/Q gradient in lung
- Infinity, a lung and a zero stack nicely.
- V/Q is lowest at bottom, highest at top.
- Author: Robert O’Connor University College Dublin
