Unveiling a New Anatomy Mnemonics Subcategorization: An Analysis of Contents Extracted from Books, Websites, and Social Media

Abstract

Background: In the field of Anatomy, it often becomes necessary to remember any part of information by memorization, and later retrieve it. However, finding appropriate anatomical mnemonics and organizing them in a practical and universally acceptable system can be challenging for learners, teachers, and researchers. This research aimed to develop a subcategorization format for four selected categories of anatomical mnemonics according to different identified characteristics and to determine the frequencies of each category and subcategory.Methods: This content analysis research was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh-Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 2017 to 2018. Anatomical mnemonics were collected from various sources including books, websites, and social media. A qualitative and quantitative content analysis was used for data analysis. Each 272 extracted anatomical mnemonics was categorized according to any of the four selected mnemonic techniques (Acronym, Acrostic, Rhyme, and Storytelling). A subcategorization format was then devised based on seven characteristics considered to be identifiable in these mnemonics (Meaningfulness, Meaningful relationship, Humor, Eroticism, Absurdity, Anatomical aspect dealt with, and Language). Each mnemonic was then subcategorized, and the frequency of each of those techniques and characteristics was finally calculated.Results: More than 70% of the 272 mnemonics used the Acrostic technique. Among the 59 identifiable options under the seven subcategories, 36 options were identified in the mnemonics, and the frequencies were finally reported. An eight-symbol formula was also devised to express the techniques used and the characteristics identifiable in individual mnemonics.Conclusion: The findings can be used to develop a database of anatomical mnemonics, which could be useful in identifying and selecting appropriate mnemonics for teaching, learning, and research as well as attaching specific tags when adding new mnemonics to the database.

Keywords

• anatomical mnemonics
• techniques
• methods
• characteristics
• subcategorization