Preparing for anatomy exams can be overwhelming, especially when faced with memorizing endless lists of structures, functions, and clinical correlations. Mnemonics—a clever way to simplify and memorize information—can be your best friend. In this blog, we’ll explore some fun and creative mnemonics that top-scoring students swear by for tricky anatomy terms.
Important Anatomy Mnemonics
Topic | Mnemonic | Full Form |
Cranial Nerves | "Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Green Vegetables At Home" | Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Vestibulocochlear, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, Hypoglossal. |
Cranial Nerve Functions | "Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More" | Sensory (I, II, VIII), Motor (III, IV, VI, XI, XII), Both (V, VII, IX, X). |
Branches of External Carotid Artery | "Some Angry Lady Figured Out PMS" | Superior thyroid, Ascending pharyngeal, Lingual, Facial, Occipital, Posterior auricular, Maxillary, Superficial temporal. |
Bones of the Wrist | "Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can’t Handle" | Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate. |
Rotator Cuff Muscles | "SITS" | Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, Subscapularis. |
Abdominal Regions | "Rowdy Lions Hunt" | Right hypochondriac, Left hypochondriac, Hypogastric. |
Epidermal Layers | "Come Let’s Get Sun Burned" | Corneum, Lucidum, Granulosum, Spinosum, Basale. |
Brachial Plexus Branches | "Mounica 's Anatomy Really Makes - Understanding easier" | Musculocutaneous, Axillary, Radial, Median, Ulnar. |
Femoral Triangle | "NAVY" | Nerve, Artery, Vein, Y-fronts (inguinal lymphatics) (from lateral to medial). |
Erector Spinae Muscles | "I Love Spaghetti" | Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Spinalis. |
Carpal Tunnel Contents | "9 Tendons 1 Nerve" | 9 tendons (Flexor digitorum superficialis, Flexor digitorum profundus, Flexor pollicis longus), 1 nerve (Median nerve). |
Diaphragm Openings | "I Ate 10 Eggs At 12" | IVC (T8), Esophagus (T10), Aorta (T12). |
Branches of Celiac Trunk | "Left Hand Side" | Left gastric artery, Hepatic artery (common), Splenic artery. |
Facial Nerve Branches | "To Zanzibar By Motor Car" | Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Mandibular, Cervical. |
Middle Ear Bones | "MIS" | Malleus, Incus, Stapes. |
Subclavian Artery Branches | "Very Tired Individuals Take Slow Showers" | Vertebral, Thyrocervical trunk, Internal thoracic, Thoracoacromial, Suprascapular, Scapular arteries. |
Layers of the Scalp | "SCALP" | Skin, Connective tissue, Aponeurosis, Loose areolar tissue, Pericranium. |
Tarsal Bones | "Tiger Cubs Need MILC" | Talus, Calcaneus, Navicular, Medial cuneiform, Intermediate cuneiform, Lateral cuneiform, Cuboid. |
Branches of the Aortic Arch | "ABCs" | Aortic Arch, Brachiocephalic artery, Common carotid artery, Subclavian artery. |
Lateral Rotators of the Hip | "Play Golf Or Go On Quaint Holidays" | Piriformis, Gemellus superior, Obturator internus, Gemellus inferior, Obturator externus, Quadratus femoris. |
Muscles of Mastication | "My Tummy’s Empty" | Masseter, Temporalis, Medial pterygoid, Lateral pterygoid. |
Foramina Passing Cranial Nerves | "Cleaners Only Spray Smelly Stuff Right On Smelly Idiots In Jugs Jugs Jugs" | CN I (Cribriform), II (Optic canal), III, IV, VI (Superior orbital fissure), etc. |
Anterior Pituitary Hormones | "FLAT PEG" | FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin, Endorphins, Growth hormone. |
Extraocular Muscle Innervation | "LR6 SO4 AO3" | Lateral rectus (CN VI), Superior oblique (CN IV), All others (CN III). |
Tips for Creating Your Own Mnemonics
Make it personal: Use references or phrases that are meaningful to you.
Be creative: Don’t shy away from quirky or funny sentences—they stick better!
Keep it simple: Overcomplicated mnemonics defeat the purpose of simplifying learning.
Conclusion
Mnemonics are not just a fun way to study but a proven method to enhance recall during exams. By using these Important Anatomy Mnemonics, you can approach your anatomy preparation with confidence and even a little humor.
Got a favorite anatomy mnemonic of your own? Share it in the comments below!
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