I recently battled my way through the final ever MRCEM Part A exam. The exam has since had a facelift and is now called the ‘FRCEM Primary’. The format of the exam is changing from a true-false format to a single best answer MCQ. For more information on the new exam, check out the ‘FRCEM Primary Information […]
Basic Cellular Physiology: Fluid Compartments
Osmosis ‘Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from regions of low solute concentration to those of higher concentration’. Biological membranes are semi-permeable – they allow the free movement of water but restrict the movement of solutes. The creation of osmotic gradients is the primary method for the movement of water in […]
Basic Cellular Physiology: Homeostasis
Homeostasis is Greek for ‘staying the same’. In the context of human physiology the term homeostasis describes the maintenance of nearly constant conditions in the internal environment – physiological self-regulation. All organs and tissues perform functions that help to maintain this constancy – it is a coordinated, dynamic process. Disease can be conceptualised as a […]
Upper Limb Anatomy: The Axilla
The axilla (armpit) is the zone of transition from the neck to the upper limb. It lies underneath the glenohumeral joint and has an irregular conical shape – like a tilted pyramid. The axilla is the passageway for the neurovascular bundle from the neck to the upper limb. Main contents of the axilla: Axillary artery […]
Lower Limb Anatomy: The Femoral Triangle
I am currently preparing for MRCEM Part A. This is the first of three entrance exams for higher training in EM in the UK. It is a ‘basic science’ exam which covers: Anatomy Physiology Pharmacology Microbiology Biochemistry Haematology Pathology Statistics The content of the exam is likely to be very similar to the equivalent entrance exams in Australia, […]
