Physiology Mnemonics

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