Upper limb - memorisation tricks

Question 1

Mnemonic for the carpal bones.

Answer 1

Proximal row to pinky, then distal row to thumb:
Straight Line To Pinky, Here Comes The Thumb
Scaphoid
Lunate
Triquetrum
Pisiform
Hamate
Capitate
Trapezoid
Trapezium

Question 2

Mnemonic for brachial plexus.

Answer 2

Roots: C5, C6, C7, C8, T1
3 Musketeers 2 Assassinate: 5 Mice, 5 Rats and 2 Unicorns
(Number = No. of roots involved, Letter = Nerve)

• 3 Musketeers: Musculocutaneous nerve - C5, C6, C7
• 2 Assassinate: Axillary nerve - C5, C6
• 5 Mice: Median nerve - C5-T1
• 5 Rats: Radial nerve - C5-T1
• 2 Unicorns: Ulnar nerve - C8, T1

At the ‘M’ from lateral to medial: musculocutaneous, median, ulnar

Remember: radial nerve is posterior

Question 3

What is the overall structure of the brachial plexus like?

Answer 3

• 5 roots: C5, C6, C7, C8, T1
• 3 trunks: superior, middle, inferior
• 6 divisions: anterior and posterior division for each trunk
• 3 cords: lateral, posterior, medial
• terminal branches (5 nerves + more)

Question 4

What are the muscles of the posterior compartment of the forearm innervated by?

Answer 4

Radial nerve

Question 5

Mnemonic to remember the intrinsic muscles of the hand supplied by the median nerve.

Answer 5

LOAF:
L = lateral 2 lumbricals
O = oppens pollicis
A = ABductor pollicis brevis
F = flexor pollicis brevis

Question 6

Mnemonic to remember the intrinsic muscles of the hand supplied by the ulnar nerve.

Answer 6

HAPPY MAP:
HAPPY = hypothenar group (abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, opponens digiti minimi, palmaris brevis)
M = medial 2 lumbricals
A = adductor pollicis
P = palmar and dorsal interossei of the hand

Question 7

Mnemonic to remember the muscles of the upper limb supplied by the radial nerve.

Answer 7

Radial nerve is A BEAST:
A = ABductor pollicis longus

B = brachioradialis
E = extensors of the forearm
A = anconeus
S = supinator
T = triceps

Question 8

Mnemonics (2) to remember rotator cuff muscles and their individual actions.

Answer 8

Muscles (and innervations) - SITS:
S = Supraspinatus (suprascapular nerve)
I = Infraspinatus (suprascapular nerve)
T = Teres minor (axillary nerve)
S = Subscapularis (upper and lower subscapular nerve)

Actions - AEEI
Supraspinatus = ABduction
Infraspinatus = External (lateral) rotation
Teres minor = External (lateral) rotation
Subscapularis = Internal (medial) rotation