Prepare for Exams with Pathology Mnemonics

A mnemonic device is, simply speaking, any learning technique that aids the retention of information gained. This retention of information in memory facilitates an excellent understanding of concepts. It is very useful for all the related learning procedures.

How do mnemonics work? 

Mnemonics involve the use of imagery, cues, and, most importantly, elaborative encoding. All these are specific tools that facilitate the encoding of information, making way for efficient information storage, retention, and retrieval. You can save a date and table for your record to check. In this process, all the imagery and different cues can be remembered easily and checked at any time.

Pathology is a vital subject in the study of medical science. In the MBBS examination, you will find direct questions from this critical field. You have to study in-depth to understand the concepts, procedures, and processes of pathology. Until then you cannot deliver or offer a prognosis for the disease. Lack of expertise in pathology can throw your plans to become a doctor into disarray. 

Pathology is a subject that is quite challenging for medical students to learn and master. As such, mnemonics play a critical role in the preparation for this subject. With the help of mnemonics, students can comfortably memorize, retain, and retrieve important terms in pathology.

Pathology Mnemonics to remember

Conditions leading to inflammation

MCM (Medical countermeasures): Internet is ensured by WiFi, but inflammation is caused by TIFI:

• Tissue necrosis
• Infections
• Foreign bodies
• Immune reactions

TB: Characteristics: (Medical countermeasures):

Keep in mind the 4 Cs:

• Caseation
• Cicatrization
• Cavitation
• Calcification

Gallstones: Risk factors MCM: Keep in mind the 5Fs.

• Fat
• Forty years of age or above 
• Fair (Caucasians ethnic race is more likely to develop gallstones)
• Female (gallstones are more common in women than in men)
• Fertile (an increase in estrogen increases cholesterol levels in bile and minimizes contractions of the gallbladder)

Necrosis: Types: Just remember the abbreviation ‘CCFLGF’

• Caseous
• Coagulative
• Fat
• Liquefactive
• Gangrenous Fibrinoid

Heart failure: Causes: Memorize this phrase – ‘Heart May Die’ – formed as per the first letters of the causes of heart failure

• Hypertension
• Embolism
• Anemia
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Thyrotoxicosis (incl. pregnancy)
• Myocardial infarction
• Arrhythmia
• Diet and lifestyle
• Infection
• Endocarditis

Deep vein thrombosis: Diagnosis Just remember the abbreviation ‘DVT’

• Dilated superficial veins (Doppler Ultrasound Venography is used for it)
• Tenderness of calf and thigh 

Pancreatitis: Causes Memorize this phrase – ‘I Get Smashed’ – formed taking the first letters of the causes of pancreatitis

• Idiopathic
• Gallstones
• Ethanol
• Trauma
• Steroids
• Mumps
• Autoimmune
• Scorpion sting
• Hyperlipidemia/hypercalcemia
• ERCP
• Drugs

Some diseases are caused by acute inflammation: Just remember the abbreviation ‘GAAS’

• Glomerulonephritis
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Asthma
• Septic shock

Some diseases caused by chronic inflammation: Examples MCM: Just remember the abbreviation ‘PAAA’ (or ‘AAAP’, if you reverse the order)

• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Atherosclerosis

Inflammation: Principal mediators: Remember this simple formula – 2 Cs, 2 Ps, and HKL

• Chemokines
• Cytokines
• Prostaglandins
• Platelet-activating factor
• Histamine
• Kinins
• Leukotrienes

Important morphological changes in anaplasia or malignancies (cancer): Remember the abbreviation, ‘PAMPI’

• Pleomorphism
• Abnormal nuclear morphology
• Mitosis (high mitotic activity)
• Polarity loss
• Ischemic necrosis

Colon carcinoma: Etiology Just remember the abbreviation, ‘CRAPS’.

• Chronic ulcerative colitis
• The ratio of animal fat to fiber in the diet
• Adenomatous polyps
• Familial Polyposis
• Strong family history of colon cancer

Virchow’s triad or venous thrombosis: Just remember the abbreviation ‘VIR’.

• Vascular trauma
• Increased coagulability
• Reduced blood flow (stasis)

Carcinoid syndrome: Components: Remember the abbreviation ‘CARC’, from the word, ‘carcinoid’, itself.

• Cutaneous flushing
• Asthmatic wheezing
• Right-sided valvular heart lesions
• Cramping and diarrhea

Chronic Liver Disease Signs: Just think of the first ten letters of the English alphabet, ‘ABCDEFGHIJ’

• Asterixis, Atrophy of testicles, Ankle edema, Ascites
• Bruising
• Colour change of nails, or in other words, leukonychia
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Encephalopathy 
• Foetor hepaticus
• Gynaecomastia
• Hepatomegaly
• Increase in parotids size
• Jaundice

Conclusion

Pathology mnemonics by eGurukul will surely help students prepare for medical examinations. The advantages of mnemonics are two-fold. First, they help students encode information in long-term memory. And, second, and which is even more important, mnemonics help students retrieve information from long-term memory.

The eGurukul app also provides comprehensive coaching and detailed preparation material for NEET PG/NEXT. The eGurukul 2.0 version has been prepared with an overview of the NEXT pattern in mind. Its updates are usually user-friendly and there are exciting offers on exam books that are ordered.

While pursuing an internship, it becomes difficult for an aspirant to have dedicated study hours to prepare for an exam. The eGurukul app will enable you to prepare anywhere based on your time schedule. With internships on one hand and preparation on the other, time will play a crucial role in your NEET PG/NEXT exam preparation.

Learning and memorizing these pathology mnemonics by heart is the key to success in this subject.

To help students with the subject of pathology, eGurukul offers plenty of study resources. DBMCI has launched eGurukul with the aim of helping students. Join DBMCI today for an innovative learning experience.