King's College London Medicine Cheat Sheet
Stage 1 and Year 2 of Stage 2 at King's, with the SimpleMed articles that cover each module. Find your module, open the articles, revise.
- 2 years
- 12 units
- 356 SimpleMed articles
Independent guide, not endorsed by King's College London GKT School of Medical Education (GKT refers to its long-standing hospital partners: Guy's, King's College and St Thomas'). About this page
Stage 1, Year 1
End of Stage 1 examsFoundations of Biomedical Science (FBS)
101 articles
The Stage 1 base: cells, proteins, metabolism, genes, tissues, blood, immunity, infection and how drugs and disease processes work.
Cells and molecules
- Introduction to the Cell
- Biological Membranes
- Structure of Proteins
- Enzymes and Regulation of Protein Function
- Protein Targeting
- Post-translational Modification and Collagen Biosynthesis
- Introduction to DNA
- The Cell Cycle, Checkpoints and Apoptosis
- Molecular Techniques for Medics
- Protein Function in Oxygen Transport
- Membrane Transport and Intracellular Calcium Regulation
- Membrane Potentials
- Action Potentials
- G-Protein Coupled Receptors
- Enzyme-linked and Intracellular Receptor Signalling
- Autonomic Nervous System Introduction
Metabolism and nutrition
- Alcohol Metabolism
- Dietary Energy Production
- Energy Reactions in Cells
- Energy Storage
- Glycolysis
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Newborn Screening
- Lipid Metabolism and Transport
- Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation
- Nutrition, Diet and Body Weight
- Oxidative Stress
- Oxygen-dependent Pathway
- Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism
- Purine and Pyrimidine Metabolism
- Temperature Regulation
- Vitamins, Cofactors, Minerals and Trace Elements
Genetics
- DNA Repair and Cancer
- Epigenetics, Genomic Imprinting and Mitochondrial Inheritance
- Gene Expression
- Genetic Testing and Counselling
- Genotype, Phenotype, and Inheritance
- Introduction to Gene Mutation
- Mitosis and Meiosis
Tissues and development
- How to Read a Histology Slide
- Epithelium, Skin and Exocrine Glands
- Connective Tissue
- Cartilage: Structure, Growth and Repair
- Structure of Bones
- Structure of the Muscles
- Cells and Components of the Nervous System
- Basics of Embryology
- Anatomical Terms
Blood, immunity and infection
- Anaemia
- Blood Groups, Crossmatching and Transfusion Reactions
- Full Blood Count
- Haematology in Systemic Disease
- Haematopoiesis and the Spleen
- Haemoglobinopathies
- Iron Metabolism
- Vitamin B12 and Folate
- When Haematopoiesis Goes Wrong
- Innate Immunity
- Adaptive Immunity
- The Lymphatic System
- Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Type 1 Hypersensitivity
- Food Allergy
- Introduction to Autoimmunity
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Immunological Therapies
- Immunosuppression and Disease-modifying Therapy
- The Immunocompromised Host
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- An Introduction to Infection
- The Infection Model
- Bacterial Structure, Classification and Growth
- Biofilms
- Gram Staining and Infection Investigations
- Streptococci
- Staphylococci and Other Gram-positive Bacteria
- Gram-negative Bacteria: Structure, Entry Routes and Endotoxin
- The Organisms Gram Staining Misses
- Principles of Medical Virology
- Fungi and Parasites: The Eukaryotic Pathogens
- Sepsis
Disease processes
- Acute Inflammation
- An Introduction to Pathology
- Atherosclerosis
- Basics of Pathology
- Behaviour of Neoplasms
- Cellular Adaptations
- Chronic Inflammation
- Haemostasis and Clotting
- Introduction to Neoplasia
- Pathogenesis of Neoplasms
- Regeneration and Repair of Tissues
- Thrombosis and Embolism
Principles of pharmacology
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics
- Safe Prescribing
- Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacogenetics
- Poisoning and STOPP/START
- Research Methods in Pharmacology
- Cholinergic Pharmacology
- Adrenergic Pharmacology
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Cell Physiology and Biology, Genetics, Metabolism, Immunology, Infection
Physiology & Anatomy of Systems (PAS)
107 articles
The body system by system, structure and function together: heart, lungs, kidneys, gut, hormones, reproduction, bones, muscles, nerves, head and neck.
Cardiovascular system
- Anatomy of the Cardiovascular System
- Embryological Development of the CVS
- The Cardiac Cycle
- Cardiac Conduction and Contraction
- Control of Cardiac Output
- Pulses and Pressures
- Special Circulations
Respiratory system
- Anatomy of the Respiratory System
- Development of the Respiratory System
- Ventilation and Lung Mechanics
- Properties of Gas Exchange
- Carbon Dioxide Transport
- Chemical Control of Breathing and Plasma pH
- Lung Function Testing
Kidneys and urinary tract
- Anatomy of the Kidneys, Bladder and Urethra
- Development of the Urinary System
- The Nephron
- Glomerular Filtration Rate and the Measurement of Kidney Function
- The Glomerulus: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion
- Control of Plasma Osmolarity
- Control of Plasma Volume
- Control of Potassium
- Micturition
Gut, liver and pancreas
- Development of the Gastrointestinal Tract
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Foregut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Midgut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Hindgut
- Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Canal
- Gastrointestinal Motility and the Enteric Nervous System
- Gastrointestinal Secretion, Digestion and Absorption
- Liver, Biliary and Exocrine Pancreatic Physiology
Endocrine system
- An Introduction to Endocrinology
- HPA and Growth Hormone
- The Endocrine Pancreas
- The Thyroid Gland
- Calcium Metabolism
- Control of Appetite
- Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation
- Temperature Regulation
Reproduction
- Anatomy of the Woman
- Anatomy of the Man
- The Pelvic Floor
- Development of the Reproductive System
- Gametogenesis
- Puberty
- The Menstrual Cycle and Menstrual Abnormalities
- The Placenta
- Physiology of the Mother
- Physiology of the Fetus
- Labour and Delivery
- Introduction to the Breast
Bones, joints and muscles
- Anatomical Terms
- Basics of Bone Anatomy
- Structure of Bones
- Cartilage: Structure, Growth and Repair
- Connective Tissue
- Joints
- Structure of the Muscles
- Muscles in Action
- Development of the Limbs and Body Wall
- Dermatomes and Myotomes
- Bones of the Upper Limb
- Bones of the Hand
- Key Areas of the Upper Limb
- Muscles of the Shoulder
- Muscles of the Upper Arm
- Muscles of the Forearm
- The Brachial Plexus
- Bones of the Lower Limb
- Bones of the Foot
- Key Areas of the Lower Limb
- Muscles of the Gluteal Region
- Muscles of the Thigh
- Muscles of the Lower Leg
- The Lumbar Plexus
- The Sacral Plexus
- The Spine
- Conditions of the Back and Neck
- Conditions of the Lower Back
Nervous system
- Basics of Neuroanatomy
- Cells and Components of the Nervous System
- Development of the Nervous System
- The Meninges
- Arterial Supply to the Brain
- Production and Circulation of CSF and Related Disorders
- Somatosensory System
- Motor System
- The Cerebellum: Circuits, Coordination and Clinical Signs
- Reticular Formation
- The Hypothalamus and Limbic System
- Higher Cortical Function
- Visual System
- Auditory and Vestibular Systems
Head and neck
- Introduction to Head & Neck Anatomy
- The Skull
- Fascial Planes, Muscles and Triangles
- Blood Supply to the Head and Neck
- Autonomics of the Head and Neck
- Cranial Nerves I-VI
- Cranial Nerves VII-XII
- The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
- The Oral Cavity and Pharynx
- The Nose
- The Larynx
- The Eye
- Anatomy of the Ear
- Development of the Head and Neck
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Urinary System, Gastrointestinal System, Musculoskeletal System, Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry
Introduction to Values Based Clinical Practice (IVBCP)
20 articles
Early clinical skills, professionalism and the population view of health.
First clinical skills
- Index Conditions for OSCE exams
- Blood Pressure Measurement OSCE Guide
- Venepuncture and Blood Cultures OSCE Guide
- Cardiovascular System OSCE Examination
- Respiratory System OSCE Examination
- Abdominal OSCE Examination
Population and social science
- Beliefs of the Public
- Describing Data and Testing Hypotheses
- Epidemiological Studies
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Health Economics
- Introduction to Population Science
- Models of Health
- Patient Safety and Quality Control
- Population and Social Science Summary
Safety and professionalism
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: OSCE, Population and Social Science
Stage 2, Year 2
Progress testsPathological processes
23 articles
Inflammation, repair, clotting, tumour growth and abnormal immunity: the processes that recur in every system block.
Pathology
- Acute Inflammation
- An Introduction to Pathology
- Atherosclerosis
- Basics of Pathology
- Behaviour of Neoplasms
- Cellular Adaptations
- Chronic Inflammation
- Epithelium, Skin and Exocrine Glands
- Haemostasis and Clotting
- How to Read a Histology Slide
- Introduction to Neoplasia
- Pathogenesis of Neoplasms
- Regeneration and Repair of Tissues
- The Lymphatic System
- Thrombosis and Embolism
From other subjects
Infection and immunity in disease
24 articles
The infections you meet on the wards, the immune diseases that mimic them and the antimicrobial drugs.
Infection
- Sepsis
- Hepatitis
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Travel-related Infections
- Antibiotics
- The Immunocompromised Host
- Biofilms
Immunology
- Introduction to Autoimmunity
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Type 1 Hypersensitivity
- Food Allergy
- Immunological Therapies
From other subjects
- Tuberculosis
- Pneumonia and other Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
- Infections of the Central Nervous System
- Antivirals
- Antibiotics
- Gastroenteritis and Enterocolitis
- Infections of the Reproductive Tract
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Child Immunisations
- Sepsis in Paediatrics
- Blood Groups, Crossmatching and Transfusion Reactions
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Infection, Immunology
Heart, lungs and blood in disease
42 articles
Ischaemia, failure, arrhythmia, clots, airways disease, lung infection and cancer, anaemia and blood disorders.
Cardiovascular System
- Electrocardiograms
- Electrocardiogram Pathology
- Murmurs
- Hypertension
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Heart Failure
- Artery and Vein Disease
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Haemodynamic Shock
- Cardiovascular Drugs
Pathology
Pharmacology
- Hypertension and Heart Failure
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Antiplatelets, Anticoagulants and Thrombolysis
- Hyperlipidaemias
- Pharmacology of Airway Control
Respiratory System
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Pneumonia and other Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
- Tuberculosis
- Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis
- Pneumothorax and Pleural Effusion
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Lung Cancer
- Respiratory Failure
- Lung Function Testing
Haematology
- Anaemia
- Blood Groups, Crossmatching and Transfusion Reactions
- Full Blood Count
- Haematology in Systemic Disease
- Haematopoiesis and the Spleen
- Haemoglobinopathies
- Iron Metabolism
- Vitamin B12 and Folate
- When Haematopoiesis Goes Wrong
OSCE
- Cardiovascular System OSCE Examination
- Respiratory System OSCE Examination
- Peripheral Vascular OSCE Examination
- Varicose Vein OSCE Examination
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) OSCE Examination
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Haematology
Gut, liver and kidney in disease
30 articles
Reflux, bowel and liver disease, surgical emergencies, kidney injury and failure, obstruction and urological cancers.
Gastrointestinal System
- Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
- Intestinal Pathology
- Distal Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
- Hepatic, Biliary and Pancreatic Pathology
- Gastroenteritis and Enterocolitis
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy
- Gastrointestinal Emergencies
- Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Canal
Pharmacology
Urinary System
- Hyponatraemia
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Glomerular Disease
- Diabetic Nephropathy
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Urinary Tract Obstruction
- Urinary Incontinence
- Male Urological Conditions
- Prostate Pathology
- Urological Malignancy
- Diuretics
OSCE
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Gastrointestinal System, Urinary System
Hormones, bones and joints in disease
46 articles
Diabetes, thyroid, pituitary and adrenal disease, then fractures, arthritis and the common limb and spine problems.
Endocrinology
- An Introduction to Endocrinology
- Calcium Metabolism
- Control of Appetite
- Diabetes Mellitus
- HPA and Growth Hormone
- Pituitary Disorders
- The Adrenal Glands and Adrenal Disorders
- The Endocrine Pancreas
- The Thyroid Gland
Metabolism
Pharmacology
Musculoskeletal System
- Conditions of the Shoulder and Clavicle
- Conditions of the Arm
- Conditions of the Elbow
- Conditions of the Wrist
- Conditions of the Hand
- Conditions of the Hip
- Conditions of the Thigh
- Conditions of the Knee
- Conditions of the Lower Leg
- Conditions of the Ankle
- Conditions of the Foot
- The Spine
- Conditions of the Back and Neck
- Conditions of the Lower Back
- Dermatomes and Myotomes
- Muscles in Action
OSCE
- Thyroid Status OSCE Examination
- Diabetic Foot OSCE Examination
- Cushing's Syndrome OSCE Examination
- Acromegaly OSCE Examination
- GALS Screening OSCE Examination
- Shoulder OSCE Examination
- Elbow OSCE Examination
- Hand and Wrist OSCE Examination
- Hip OSCE Examination
- Knee OSCE Examination
- Ankle and Foot OSCE Examination
- Spine OSCE Examination
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Endocrinology, Musculoskeletal System
Brain, mind and senses in disease
35 articles
Stroke, headache, epilepsy, dementia, mood disorders and psychosis, plus the eye, ear, nose and neck conditions.
Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry
- Stroke
- Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
- Raised Intracranial Pressure
- Headaches
- Movement Disorders
- Infections of the Central Nervous System
- Dementia
- Delirium
- Mood Disorders
- Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
- Psychosis
- Higher Cortical Function
Pharmacology
- Epilepsy and Anti-epileptic Drugs
- Parkinson's Disease and Myasthenia Gravis
- Introduction to Psychopharmacology
- Anaesthetics
Head and Neck
- Ear Pathology
- Lymph Nodes and Neck Lumps
- Head and Neck Cancers
- Imaging of the Head and Neck
- The Eye
- Anatomy of the Ear
- The Nose
- The Larynx
OSCE
- Cranial Nerve OSCE Examination
- Upper Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Lower Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Cerebellar OSCE Examination
- Eye and Vision OSCE Examination
- Visual Acuity OSCE Assessment
- Fundoscopy (Ophthalmoscopy) OSCE Examination
- Anterior Segment Eye OSCE Examination
- Ear, Otoscopy and Hearing OSCE Examination
- Nasal OSCE Examination
- Neck Lump OSCE Examination
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry, Head and Neck
Life cycle: pregnancy, childhood and ageing
43 articles
Fertility, pregnancy, birth, breast and gynaecological disease, children and older people.
Reproductive System
- Sex, Infertility and Contraception
- The Placenta
- Physiology of the Mother
- Physiology of the Fetus
- Diseases of the Mother in Pregnancy
- Labour and Delivery
- The Postpartum Period
- The Menopause
- Infections of the Reproductive Tract
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Malignancies of the Reproductive Tract
- Introduction to the Breast
- Benign Conditions of the Breast
- Malignant Breast Disease
- The Menstrual Cycle and Menstrual Abnormalities
- Puberty
- Gametogenesis
- Development of the Reproductive System
Patient-Centred Care
Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry
From other subjects
- Teratology and Congenital Malformations
- Development of the Limbs and Body Wall
- Reproductive and Post-reproductive Health
- Poisoning and STOPP/START
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Embryological Development of the CVS
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Newborn Screening
- Development of the Respiratory System
- Development of the Gastrointestinal Tract
- Development of the Urinary System
- Development of the Head and Neck
- Breast OSCE Examination
- Testicular OSCE Examination
- Genetic Testing and Counselling
- Epigenetics, Genomic Imprinting and Mitochondrial Inheritance
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Reproductive System, Embryology, Patient-Centred Care
Longitudinal GP placement
17 articles
One day a week in general practice. These articles cover long-term conditions, prevention and community care.
Population and Social Science
- Health Economics
- Beliefs of the Public
- Models of Health
- Patient Safety and Quality Control
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Epidemiological Studies
- Describing Data and Testing Hypotheses
From other subjects
- Hypertension
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Mood Disorders
- Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
- Lifestyle Medicine
- Child Immunisations
- Safe Prescribing
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Patient-Centred Care, Population and Social Science
Throughout Years 1 and 2
Clinical skills and OSCEs Stages 1 and 2
40 articles
Examination skills are assessed by OSCEs in Stage 2. The guides below start in Stage 1 and help you prepare for these OSCEs.
Browse every examination guide on the SimpleMed OSCE hub
Start here
- Index Conditions for OSCE exams
- Blood Pressure Measurement OSCE Guide
- Venepuncture and Blood Cultures OSCE Guide
Heart, lungs and circulation
- Cardiovascular System OSCE Examination
- Respiratory System OSCE Examination
- Peripheral Vascular OSCE Examination
- Varicose Vein OSCE Examination
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) OSCE Examination
Abdomen and groin
- Abdominal OSCE Examination
- Rectal (PR) OSCE Examination
- Stoma OSCE Examination
- Hernia OSCE Examination
- Testicular OSCE Examination
Nervous system
- Cranial Nerve OSCE Examination
- Upper Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Lower Limb Neurological OSCE Examination
- Cerebellar OSCE Examination
Joints and spine
- GALS Screening OSCE Examination
- Shoulder OSCE Examination
- Elbow OSCE Examination
- Hand and Wrist OSCE Examination
- Hip OSCE Examination
- Knee OSCE Examination
- Ankle and Foot OSCE Examination
- Spine OSCE Examination
Endocrine
- Thyroid Status OSCE Examination
- Diabetic Foot OSCE Examination
- Cushing's Syndrome OSCE Examination
- Acromegaly OSCE Examination
Eyes, ears, nose and neck
- Eye and Vision OSCE Examination
- Visual Acuity OSCE Assessment
- Fundoscopy (Ophthalmoscopy) OSCE Examination
- Anterior Segment Eye OSCE Examination
- Ear, Otoscopy and Hearing OSCE Examination
- Nasal OSCE Examination
- Neck Lump OSCE Examination
Skin, breast and lymph nodes
How King's assesses Years 1 and 2
- Stage 1 ends with written examinations. An early formative learning assessment (practice with feedback that does not count towards your result) flags students who need extra support.
- Stage 2 replaces the written examinations with progress tests (repeated tests of your knowledge that show how you are progressing). The OSCEs in the middle of the stage are formative, and those at the end are summative (they count towards your result).
- A portfolio (a collected record of your work) is assessed from Stage 1 onwards, and it counts towards your result. Year 2 adds a 14-week student-selected component (SSC, a project you choose from a range of titles) and a longitudinal GP placement (you return to the same GP practice one day a week for the whole year).
- King's publishes the official dates and formats. Always check your own course materials.
Test yourself
Reading is half of revision. Each unit above links to matching single best answer questions on SimpleMed+.
SimpleMed+ Encyclopaedia
Hard topics, made short and simple
A free bank of short and simple explanations of complex topics, with memory aids, in bitesize pages. Each one links to the SimpleMed+ questions that test it and to the core knowledge your exams expect.
- Bitesize explanations
- Memory aids
- Linked to the question bank
Getting ready for clinical
Year 3 completes Stage 2 and includes a Scholarly Project (a project module that runs for 14 weeks). Stage 3 follows.
This is an independent revision guide written by SimpleMed. It is not endorsed by, or affiliated with, King's College London or the GKT School of Medical Education. Stage 1 module names follow King's published curriculum, but FBS, PAS and IVBCP are our shorthand. King's teaches Stage 2 in blocks organised around the human life cycle and common pathological processes. Our Stage 2 units and the article mapping are our own. Some articles appear in more than one unit, so the unit totals add up to more than the overall article count at the top of the page. Last updated October 2026.
