Medical Mnemonics
Aaron Worth
Here's a document I found a while back that has all kinds of great mnemonics that we can use for Neuro and other phases. I have added a few along the way that I have found as well. They are not organized the best for our curriculum (for example organophosphate poisoning [case 3] is in emergency medicine not neuro), but they are really great! Enjoy
The order of CSF flow can be difficult to remember, so hope this mnemonic helps.
"Lady Monro has 3 Aqueducts that goes to 4 Luscious and Magical Subarachnoid places."
Lateral Ventricles
Foramina of Monro
3rd ventricle
Cerebral Aqueduct of Sylvius
4th ventricle
Foramina of Luschka & Foramen of Magendie
Subarachnoid Space
From here the CSF goes to the arachnoid granulations and into the superior saggital sinus (filled with venous blood)
SLUDGE is a mnemonic for the pathological effects indicative of massive discharge of the parasympathetic nervous system. Unlikely to occur naturally, SLUDGE is usually encountered only in cases of drug overdose, ingestion of certain poisonous mushrooms (particularly the muscarine-containing members of the genera Inocybe and Clitocybe), or exposure to nerve gases. Nerve gases irreversibly inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase; this results in a chronically high level of acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses throughout the body, thus chronically stimulating acetylcholine receptors throughout the body. The symptoms of "SLUDGE" are due to chronic stimulation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, in organs and muscles innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system. It is useful to remember some of the symptoms of increased cholinergic stimulation through the mnemonic SLUDGE:
- Salivation: stimulation of the salivary glands
- Lacrimation: stimulation of the lacrimal glands
- Urination: relaxation of the internal sphincter muscle of urethra, and contraction of the detrusor muscles
- Defecation: relaxation of the internal anal sphincter
- Gastrointestinal upset: Smooth muscle tone changes causing gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea
- Emesis: Vomiting
An extension is SLUDGEM, where the additional M indicates:
- Miosis: stimulation of the pupillary constrictor muscles
or
- Muscle spasm: stimulation of skeletal muscle