Mortuary Mnemonics

Vector Face-Off : Biological versus Mechanical

Differentiate between Biological Vectors and Mechanical Vectors with ease.

HONC

Podcast Title: HONC – The Shortcut to Bonding Patterns In embalming chemistry, we only need to know severalelements and how they interact with each other. For example, h

The Gout

When you think gout, think TOE, because that’s where it loves to start. The big toe joint, or first metatarsophalangeal joint, is the classic site for that sharp, fiery p

Aortic A-B-C-s

“ABCs of the Aortic Arch.” A is for Aortic Arch – the main curve of theaorta. From there, the branches go in this order: B – Brachiocephalic artery C – Left Common carot

F.E.R.M.

Rigor mortis, the stiffening of muscles after death due to fluctuation in ATP levels.  Rigor mortis can make it challenging to position a body for preparation. But don’t

Phocomelia

Phocomelia s a  congenital condition that involves malformations of human arms and legs that is most often described as having flipper-like appendages. However, it can ma

HemoPTysis

Hemoptysis Here’s a mnemonic that I overheard in class one day. It’s for the word Hemoptysis. Hemoptysis is the coughing up or spitting  of blood from one’s lungs. It

Soupination

Here’s a quick mnemonic.  It’s one of those anatomical directional terms.   These are important for communicating with other professionals as they help to remove ambiguit

Proenzymes

As you are most certainly aware, one of the goals of embalming is temporary preservation. This accomplished is in part by stabilizing proteins.  Without getting into the

Tendon or Ligament

Tendons and ligaments are confusing. Do tendons connect bone to muscle? Muscle to muscle? Do ligaments connect bone to muscle? Okay so here is where I lean into structur

Ate Essential Amino Acids

Let’s take a moment to talk about amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Embalming can, in part, be defined as the use of chemicals to stabilize pr

Hypertrophy

Pathology has a lot of vocabulary that sounds very similar.  For example, hypertrophy, hyperplasia and aplasia.  These similar sounding words can get confusing.  Knowing

Escutcheon

Today’s mnemonic covers a casket part. It’s helpful if you are familiar with some romance languages.  So, there are a lot of casket parts that you get to be familiar wit

Richard Burr

Dr. Richard Burr was a civil war embalmer. You’re probably familiar with the photograph of him at his tent embalming with no PPE. We credit him with being the impetus of

Phrenic fun time

The diaphragm is a dome shaped muscular partition between the thorax and the abdomen in mammals.  It has a functional role in breathing.  Like all muscles the diaphragm r

Penia

Erythrocytopenia, leukocytopenia, leukopenia, osteopenia  these are some of the terms you will come across in your Funeral Service Pathology class.  I think it’s a good i

Spina Bifida

One of the conditions that you need to know for your career and the NBE is Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a condition that affects the spine, it’s typically observed in ne

Medial Malleolus

Hey there Funeral Service People, here’s a quick mnemonic for your vascular guides. As you know the vascular guides are important for locating and identifying the arterie

T-Oxalates

Today’s mnemonic covers anticoagulants. Its widely understood that aldehydes function best with modifying agents. Modifying agents are chemicals added to embalming soluti

Cocci and Couscous

If you’re a Funeral Service Education student, then you need be familiar with Microbiology. Microbiology is one of those subjects that require a lot of memorization. Bact