Local and regional anaesthesia mnemonic

Layers crossed by a midline spinal needle

The mnemonic

Some Students Ignore Lectures, Even During Assessment

What each word stands for

  • SomeSkin
  • StudentsSupraspinous ligament
  • IgnoreInterspinous ligament
  • LecturesLigamentum flavum
  • EvenEpidural space
  • DuringDura mater
  • AssessmentArachnoid mater, then CSF in the subarachnoid space

Why it matters clinically

A pop or loss of resistance at the ligamentum flavum, then CSF return, confirms placement.

Where it stops being reliable

Midline approach only; a paramedian approach bypasses the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Local and regional anaesthesia mnemonic?

Some Students Ignore Lectures, Even During Assessment. It helps you recall: Layers crossed by a midline spinal needle.

What does "Some" stand for?

Skin

What does "Students" stand for?

Supraspinous ligament

What does "Ignore" stand for?

Interspinous ligament

What are all the parts of the Some Students Ignore Lectures, Even During Assessment mnemonic?

Some: Skin; Students: Supraspinous ligament; Ignore: Interspinous ligament; Lectures: Ligamentum flavum; Even: Epidural space; During: Dura mater; Assessment: Arachnoid mater, then CSF in the subarachnoid space.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Local and regional anaesthesia in Anaesthesia.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Midline approach only; a paramedian approach bypasses the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments.

How is this useful clinically?

A pop or loss of resistance at the ligamentum flavum, then CSF return, confirms placement.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a Anaesthesia question about Local and regional anaesthesia.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.