Basic Pharmacology Of Neuromuscular Junction

Cranial nerves mnemonic

On, on, on, they travelled and found Voldemort guarding very ancient horcruxes.

Olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, hypoglossal.

On - Olfactory nerve (CN I)

On - Optic nerve (CN II)

On - Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

They - Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

Travelled - Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

And - Abducens nerve (CN VI)

Found - Facial nerve (CN VII)

Voldermort - Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)

Guarding - Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)

Very - Vagus nerve (CN X)

Ancient - Accessory nerve (CN XI)

Horcruxes - Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Branches of external carotid artery

Some Anatomists Like F*cking, Others Prefer S & M

Superior thyroid artery

Ascending pharyngeal artery

Lingual artery

Facial artery

Occipital artery

Posterior auricular artery

Superficial temporal artery

Maxillary artery

The superior thyroid, ascending pharyngeal, lingual and facial arteries are ANTERIOR branches.

The occipital and posterior auricular arteries are POSTERIOR branches.

The superficial temporal and maxillary arteries are TERMINAL branches.

“Some Anatomists Like F*cking, Others Prefer S & M” 

is a mnemonic my professor just mentioned in class for the branches of the external carotid artery askjvb;askjbv;

I don’t know what stage of the semester you’re at right now but let someone in exam period (me) give you some advice on revision: Start early. Early as in NOW. Start now to not end up like me 

Oedema - pitting vs non-pitting

Oedema is swelling due to excess fluids in tissues.

In pitting oedema, pressing on the affected area leaves an indentation (that persists after removing the pressure). In non-pitting oedema, the area feels firm to touch and does not form indentations.

Pitting oedema:

The excess fluid is mainly composed of water

Commonly caused by heart failure, venous insufficiency, or nephrotic syndrome

Non-pitting oedema:

The excess fluid consists of water WITH protein and salts

Usually indicates a condition of the thyroid / lymphatic system

Different types:

Lymphoedema is due to a build-up of lymphatic fluid (e.g. due to a tumour blocking lymphatic flow / after removal of lymph nodes).

Myxoedema occurs in hypothyroidism and often affected the pretibial or periorbital area.

Angioedema is localised swelling of the skin and is usually due to allergic reactions. It typically affects the face, tongue, larynx, abdomen, arms, and legs. When the larynx is affected, it may affect breathing, which is an emergency!

Lipoedema is when fat accumulates in subcutaneous tissues - it usually affects the legs/buttocks and almost exclusively occurs in postpubertal females (not the same as cellulite!)

If patients present with oedema, it's always important to test if it's pitting or non-pitting as this helps to determine the cause and correct treatment!

Common ototoxic medications

"FAV Q&A"

Furosemide (and other loop diuretics) Aminoglycosides Vancomycin Quinine Aspirin

Distribution of calcium in the body

Bone calcium (99%)

Ca^2+ and PO4^3+ form hydroxyapatite

Plasma calcium

Diffusible pool

~50% of plasma calcium is free/unbound ionic Ca2+ (physiologically important form)

~10% of plasma calcium is complexed with small molecular weight compounds (citrate, phosphate)

Non-diffusible pool

~40% of plasma calcium is bound to calcium-binding proteins and plasma proteins (albumin)

The body utilises plasma albumin-bound calcium as a circulating reserve

The renin-angiotensin system that helps regulate the constriction of blood vessels and blood pressure.

Causes of Acute Pancreatitis

In the UK and US, the main causes are gallstones and alcohol.

Use the mnemonic 'I GET SMASHED':

Idiopathic

Gallstones

Ethanol

Trauma

Steroids

Mumps / Malignancy

Autoimmune

Scorpion stings

Hypercalcaemia / Hypertriglyceridaemia / Hypothermia

ERCP

Drugs (including azathioprine, mesalazine, bendroflumethiazide, furosemide, steroids, sodium valproate)

Carpal bones mnemonic

So Long Till Pinky, Here Comes The Thumb

Scaphoid

Lunate

Triquetrum

Pisiform

Hamate

Capitate

Trapezoid

Trapezium

(going anti-clockwise in this diagram)

Alternatively:

Some Say Money Matters But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More

Cranial nerves functions mnemonic

Sooo… while studying the cranial nerves and their functions I came by this genius mnemonic and I just had to share it with you guys! :D

cranial nerves and their functions

Some say money matters, but my brother says big boobs make more fun. [m = motoric, s = sensorial/sensitive, b = both]

N. olfactorius (s)

N. opticus (s)

N. oculomotorius (m)

N. trochlearis (m)

N. trigeminus (b)

N. abducens (m)

N. facialis (b)

N. vestibulocochlearis (s)

N. glossopharyngeus (b)

N. vagus (b)

N. accessorius (m)

N. hypoglossus (m)

(fun)