Mortuary Mnemonics

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, how they will bond with one another.  If you’ve ever looked at a chemical structureand thought, how many bonds should this atom make?  There’s a simple mnemonic that can guide youevery time: HONC. H-O-N-C. Each letter represents a common element and the number ofbonds it typically forms. H is 1. O is 2. N is 3. C is 4. That’s it. This comes from the idea of valence electrons, butyou don’t need to get lost in the theory. What matters for us is recognizingpredictable bonding patterns. Hydrogen wants one bond. It’s stable when it shares oneelectron. Oxygen typically forms two bonds. Nitrogen forms three bonds. And carbon forms four bonds. This is why carbon is thebackbone of organic chemistry, it can build complex, stable structures. So when you’re visualizing molecules or thinking about howchemicals interact, HONC gives you a quick mental check. If something looks off—too many or too few bonds—you’llcatch it. In fields like embalming chemistry, where we’re dealing withreactive molecules like formaldehyde, understanding these bonding patternshelps explain how crosslinking happens and why preservation works the way itdoes. So remember: HONC. 1, 2, 3, 4.

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 pain that wakes people at night. Now add TOPHI spelled T-O-P-H-I those are the chalky white deposits that form when uric acid crystals build up over time. Think of them as little mountains of urate that appear on ears, elbows, or even fingers. So remember: TOE for the first attack, TOPHI for the chronic stage. Gout begins in the toe and ends with tophi. It's a simple way to recall the progression from acute inflammation to long-term crystal buildup. That’s your minute mnemonic — TOE and TOPHI — from acute pain to chronic deposit.”

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 carotid artery S – Left Subclavian artery Think: A – B – C – S. Quick tip: the brachiocephalic only comes off the rightside—so it later splits into the right subclavian and right commoncarotid. The left side gets its own direct branches.

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 worry—our mnemonic, F.E.R.M., makes the process straightforward and easy to remember. Let’s break it down: F is for Flex. Start by gently flexing the joints. For example, bend the arms at the elbows or the legs at the knees. The goal here is to loosen up the major joints without applying excessive force. E is for Extend. Once the joint has some flexibility, extend it slowly. Straighten out the limbs to encourage the muscle fibers to relax further. R is for Rotate. Now, rotate the joints gently. This helps stretch out the muscles and break down the stiffness even more. Think of this as a circular motion—nothing sharp or sudden. M is for Manipulate. Finally, manipulate the muscles by massaging or pressing along the limbs. This final step can release any remaining tension, ensuring the body is ready for proper positioning. Remember, the key is to take your time and use a respectful, measured approach. Flex, Extend, Rotate, and Manipulate—F.E.R.M.—it’s simple, effective, and dignified.

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 manifest in other regions of the body resulting in shortened neck, abnormalities in the urethra, and hydrocephalus. A cause of phocomelia is the mother being prescribed certain chemicals during pregnancy.  However, the causes of most cases are idiopathic. For the purposes of mortuary school, phocomelia is described as a condition in which the proximal portions of the limbs are poorly developed or missing. As with many medical terms, phocomelia can be broken apart into smaller words.  Here melia refers to a condition of the limbs.   Melos is Greek for limb.  I suggest keeping this one in the memory banks as it will come up in the future. Today we will focus on Phoco. Phoco is derived from phoca. Phoca is a genus of seals.  For our purposes let’s simply commit to Phoco means seal.  If you think of a seal you will recall these cute aquatic creatures do not have arms, only flippers for upper extremities.  This is the description of phocomelia.  Distal portions only, no proximal portions. Think seals!  Also, I apologize for the flagrant use of the phoco during this podcast.