11/13/24, 7\:40 PM Guide | Anatomy mnemonics

Anatomy mnemonics

Table of contents

Introduction

The Geeky Medics list of anatomy mnemonics has been curated to help you remember important anatomical concepts and
facts.

Upper limb

Attachment of latissimus dorsi\: "Lady Between Two Majors"
Latissimus dorsi attaches to the humerus between pectoralis major and teres major.
Rotator cu
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Teres minor
Subscapularis
See our guide to the intrinsic muscles of the shoulder.
Structure of the brachial plexus\: "Reach To Drink Cold Beer"
Roots
Trunks
Divisions
Cords
Branches (nerves)
See our overview of the brachial plexus.
Contents of the cubital fossa\: "Really Need Beer To Be At My Nicest"
From lateral to medial\:
Radial Nerve
Brachial Tendon
Brachial Artery
Median Nerve
Muscles involved in elbow
Biceps brachii
Brachialis
Brachioradialis
Carpal bones\: "Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle"
Starting from the thumb\:
Scaphoid
Lunate
Triquetral
Pisiform
Trapezium
Trapezoid
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Capitate
Hamate
See our guides to the bones of the hand and the wrist joint.
Median nerve supply to the hand\: LOAF
Lateral two lumbricals
Opponens pollicis
Abductor pollicis brevis
Flexor pollicis brevis
Actions of the interosseous muscles of the hand\: PAD DAB
Palmar interossei\: ADduction
Dorsal interossei\: ABduction
See our guide to the intrinsic muscles of the hand.

Lower limb

Contents of the femoral triangle\: NAVEL
From lateral to medial\:
Nerve
Artery
Vein
Empty space
Lymphatics
Femoral triangle boundaries\: SAIL
Sartorius
Adductor longus
Inguinal Ligament

Abdomen

Borders of the inguinal canal\: MALT
Muscles (roof)
Aponeurosis (anterior wall)
Ligaments (
Tendon (posterior wall)
See our guide to inguinal hernias.
Retroperitoneal structures\: SAD PUCKER
Suprarenal (adrenal) Glands
Aorta/IVC
Duodenum (2nd / 3rd part)
Pancreas (not the tail)
Ureters
Colon (ascending and descending)
Kidneys
(O)esophagus
Rectum
Abdominal wall muscles\: TIRE
Transversus abdominis
Internal oblique
Rectus abdominis
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External oblique
See our guide to the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall.
Meckel's diverticulum\: "The Rule of 2s"
2% of the population
2 times more common in males
2 inches (5cm) long
2 feet proximal to the ileocecal valve
2 types of mucosal lining (gastric and pancreatic)
Branches of the coeliac trunk\: "Left Hand Side"
Left gastric
common Hepatic
Splenic
See our overview of the abdominal aorta.

Thorax

Atrioventricular valves\: LAB RAT
Left Atrium\: Bicuspid
Right Atrium\: Tricuspid
See our guides to thoracic anatomy.
Innervation of the diaphragm (phrenic nerve)\: "C3, C4, C5 keep the diaphragm alive"
Diaphragm apertures
Count the number of letters\:
Aortic hiatus\: 12 letters (=T12)
Oesophagus\: 10 letters (=T10)
Vena cava\: 8 letters (=T8)
Serratus anterior\: "SALTy WINGS"
Serratus Anterior is innervated by the Long Thoracic nerve
Loss of function results in a Winged scapula
Nerve roots of the long thoracic nerve\: "C5, 6, 7 reach to heaven"
C5, C6, C7 are the nerve roots of the long thoracic nerve

Head and neck

Layers of the scalp\: SCALP
Skin
Connective tissue
Aponeurosis
Loose connective tissue
Pericranium
Structures passing through the foramen ovale\: OVALE
Otic ganglion (lies inferior)
V3 (mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve)
Accessory meningeal artery
Lesser petrosal nerve
Emissary veins
Contents of the cavernous sinus\: O TOM CAT
O TOM are lateral wall components, in order from superior to inferior. CA are the components within the sinus, from medial to
lateral. CA ends at the level of T from O TOM
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Oculomotor nerve
Trochlear nerve
Ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve
Maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve
internal Carotid artery
Abducens nerve
Trochlear nerve
Extraocular muscles\: LR6 SO4 3
Lateral rectus\: 6th cranial nerve (abducens)
Superior oblique\: 4th cranial nerve (trochlear)
Everything else\: 3rd cranial nerve (oculomotor)
Cranial nerves\: "On, On, On, They Travelled And Found Voldemort Guarding Very Ancient Horcruxes"
N o t e - m a n y o t h e r d i
Olfactory nerve (CN I)
Optic nerve (CN II),
Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Facial nerve (CN VII)
Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Vagus nerve (CN X)
Accessory nerve (CN XI)
Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
See our cranial nerve summary.
Tonsils\: "PPL (people) have tonsils"
Pharyngeal
Palatine
Lingual
See our oral cavity examination guide.

Dermatomes

Cervical
"C7 the middle
Thoracic
T4 nipple\:
"teet pore" (sounds like T4)
T10 umbilicus\:
"Bellybuten"
Lumbar
L4\: Knee "On all fours"
Sacral
S1\:
"Small toe"
See our overview of dermatomes and myotomes.
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