6 Mnemonics That’ll Make You an Anatomy Genius

Anatomy is the subject every medical student dreads—and for good reason. Hundreds of terms. Dozens of systems. And everything sounds like Latin sneezes. But what if you could master the trickiest parts using just one underrated tool?

Enter the mnemonic: your brain’s best cheat code.

These 6 powerful mnemonics cover common anatomy pain points and have helped thousands of students pass exams, ace vivas, and even impress residents. Let’s dive in.

1. Cranial Nerves (12 of them, in order!)Mnemonic: Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Green Vegetables – AH!Cranial Nerves:Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Vestibulocochlear, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, Hypoglossal

Why It Works: It’s quirky, rhythmic, and visual. Bonus tip: Pair it with a hand-drawn brainstem diagram while reciting the line for even stronger recall.

2. Carpal Bones (from thumb side across, proximal to distal)Mnemonic: Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can’t HandleBones: Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, PisiformTrapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate

Why It Works: Suggestive and silly—perfect combo for memory. Students remember this one years after graduation because it just sticks.

3. Brachial Plexus BranchesMnemonic: Randy Travis Drinks Cold BeerBranches: Roots, Trunks, Divisions, Cords, Branches

Why It Works: Not only does it help recall structure, but it also adds a story—imagine someone named Randy Travis actually drinking cold beer after solving this mess of nerves.

4. Rotator Cuff MusclesMnemonic: SITSMuscles: Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis

Why It Works: Simple and sounds like what you do when you're in pain from a shoulder injury—SIT(S). Fast, catchy, unforgettable.

5. Layers of the ScalpMnemonic: SCALPLayers: Skin, Connective tissue, Aponeurosis, Loose areolar tissue, Pericranium

Why It Works: It’s literally the word itself—SCALP—so there’s zero mental gymnastics required. A rare case where the answer is in the question.

6. Cranial Nerve Functions (Sensory or Motor?)Mnemonic: Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter MoreFunctions (in order from CN I–XII):Sensory, Sensory, Motor, Motor, Both, Motor, Both, Sensory, Both, Both, Motor, Motor

Why It Works: It’s rhythmic and gender-neutral (there are older, outdated versions of this one that aren't ideal). This version sticks and is easy to recite before a viva.

You don’t need to memorize anatomy the hard way. Mnemonics make recall fast, visual, and way more fun than silent revision marathons. Use these in your notes, flashcards, or draw quick doodles around them. Your brain craves shortcuts—feed it the right ones.

Try this: Pick the anatomy topic that’s messing with your head right now. Can you build your own weird, funny, slightly ridiculous mnemonic for it? If it makes you laugh, you’ll probably never forget it.