Nottingham Medical School Cheat Sheet
Nottingham's Years 1 and 2 (Art of Medicine, then Science of Medicine), with the SimpleMed articles that cover each topic. Find your topic, open the articles, revise.
- 2 years
- 21 units
- 356 SimpleMed articles
Independent guide, not endorsed by Nottingham Medical School. About this page
Year 1, Year-long modules
End of Year 1 examsCells, genes and molecules
23 articles
The building blocks in Art of Medicine: cell structure, proteins, DNA, inheritance and the techniques behind them.
Cell Physiology and Biology
- Action Potentials
- Autonomic Nervous System Introduction
- Biological Membranes
- Enzyme-linked and Intracellular Receptor Signalling
- Enzymes and Regulation of Protein Function
- G-Protein Coupled Receptors
- Introduction to DNA
- Introduction to the Cell
- Membrane Potentials
- Membrane Transport and Intracellular Calcium Regulation
- Molecular Techniques for Medics
- Post-translational Modification and Collagen Biosynthesis
- Protein Function in Oxygen Transport
- Protein Targeting
- Structure of Proteins
- The Cell Cycle, Checkpoints and Apoptosis
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
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Cell Physiology and Biology, Genetics
Energy and metabolism
18 articles
How the body makes, stores and regulates energy, with the hormones that steer it and diabetes as the clinical example.
Metabolism
- 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
Endocrinology
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Metabolism, Endocrinology
Body structure and tissues
28 articles
Anatomical language, histology (the study of tissues under the microscope), the four tissue types, bone and muscle, and early development.
Musculoskeletal System
- Anatomical Terms
- Connective Tissue
- Cartilage: Structure, Growth and Repair
- Basics of Bone Anatomy
- Bones of the Foot
- Bones of the Hand
- Bones of the Lower Limb
- Bones of the Upper Limb
- Dermatomes and Myotomes
- Joints
- Key Areas of the Lower Limb
- Key Areas of the Upper Limb
- Muscles in Action
- Muscles of the Forearm
- Muscles of the Gluteal Region
- Muscles of the Lower Leg
- Muscles of the Shoulder
- Muscles of the Thigh
- Muscles of the Upper Arm
- Structure of Bones
- Structure of the Muscles
- The Brachial Plexus
- The Lumbar Plexus
- The Sacral Plexus
- The Spine
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Musculoskeletal System, Embryology
Breathlessness and chest pain
42 articles
Heart, lungs and blood through two classic presenting symptoms (the problems that bring people to a doctor) named in Art of Medicine: breathlessness and chest pain.
Respiratory System
- Anatomy of the Respiratory System
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis
- Carbon Dioxide Transport
- Chemical Control of Breathing and Plasma pH
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Development of the Respiratory System
- Lung Cancer
- Lung Function Testing
- Pneumonia and other Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
- Pneumothorax and Pleural Effusion
- Properties of Gas Exchange
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Respiratory Failure
- Tuberculosis
- Ventilation and Lung Mechanics
Cardiovascular System
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Anatomy of the Cardiovascular System
- Artery and Vein Disease
- Cardiac Conduction and Contraction
- Cardiovascular Drugs
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Control of Cardiac Output
- Electrocardiogram Pathology
- Electrocardiograms
- Embryological Development of the CVS
- Haemodynamic Shock
- Heart Failure
- Hypertension
- Murmurs
- Pulses and Pressures
- Special Circulations
- The Cardiac Cycle
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
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Haematology
Abdominal pain
15 articles
The gut, liver and abdominal wall through the third named symptom, abdominal pain.
Gastrointestinal System
- Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Canal
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Foregut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Hindgut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Midgut
- Development of the Gastrointestinal Tract
- Distal Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
- Gastroenteritis and Enterocolitis
- Gastrointestinal Emergencies
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy
- Gastrointestinal Motility and the Enteric Nervous System
- Gastrointestinal Secretion, Digestion and Absorption
- Hepatic, Biliary and Pancreatic Pathology
- Intestinal Pathology
- Liver, Biliary and Exocrine Pancreatic Physiology
- Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
Infection, immunity and inflammation
30 articles
Microbes, the immune response and inflammation, which underlie fever, swelling and many presentations.
Infection
- Adaptive Immunity
- An Introduction to Infection
- Antibiotics
- Bacterial Structure, Classification and Growth
- Biofilms
- Fungi and Parasites: The Eukaryotic Pathogens
- Gram Staining and Infection Investigations
- Gram-negative Bacteria: Structure, Entry Routes and Endotoxin
- Hepatitis
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Innate Immunity
- Principles of Medical Virology
- Sepsis
- Staphylococci and Other Gram-positive Bacteria
- Streptococci
- The Immunocompromised Host
- The Infection Model
- The Organisms Gram Staining Misses
- Travel-related Infections
Immunology
- Food Allergy
- Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Immunological Therapies
- Introduction to Autoimmunity
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Type 1 Hypersensitivity
Pathology
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Infection, Immunology, Pathology
First drugs and prescribing
7 articles
How drugs are absorbed, act and are cleared, with the first antimicrobials (drugs that kill microbes or stop them growing).
Pharmacology
Public health and evidence
9 articles
Population health, how studies are designed and read, and how evidence shapes practice.
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
Practice Population and Social Science questions on SimpleMed+
Reflective Practice
13 articles
A Year 1 module on reflective practice. Nottingham describes the module as building skills to reflect on patient care and on how illness affects patients physically, emotionally and socially. These articles cover that patient side of care, from ageing and palliative care to safeguarding.
Patient-Centred Care
Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry
From other subjects
Year 2, Year-long modules
End of Year 2 examsHeart and circulation
24 articles
Cardiac physiology and the common circulatory conditions and drugs, seen through symptoms such as chest pain and palpitations.
Cardiovascular System
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Anatomy of the Cardiovascular System
- Artery and Vein Disease
- Cardiac Conduction and Contraction
- Cardiovascular Drugs
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Control of Cardiac Output
- Electrocardiogram Pathology
- Electrocardiograms
- Embryological Development of the CVS
- Haemodynamic Shock
- Heart Failure
- Hypertension
- Murmurs
- Pulses and Pressures
- Special Circulations
- The Cardiac Cycle
Pathology
Pharmacology
Lungs and breathing
17 articles
Ventilation, gas exchange and respiratory disease, with airway pharmacology.
Respiratory System
- Anatomy of the Respiratory System
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis
- Carbon Dioxide Transport
- Chemical Control of Breathing and Plasma pH
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Development of the Respiratory System
- Lung Cancer
- Lung Function Testing
- Pneumonia and other Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
- Pneumothorax and Pleural Effusion
- Properties of Gas Exchange
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Respiratory Failure
- Tuberculosis
- Ventilation and Lung Mechanics
From other subjects
Blood
9 articles
Blood cells, anaemia, clotting and transfusion.
Haematology
Gut and liver
19 articles
Digestion, absorption and the common diseases of the gut, liver and pancreas.
Gastrointestinal System
- Abdominal Wall and Inguinal Canal
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Foregut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Hindgut
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Midgut
- Development of the Gastrointestinal Tract
- Distal Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
- Gastroenteritis and Enterocolitis
- Gastrointestinal Emergencies
- Gastrointestinal Malignancy
- Gastrointestinal Motility and the Enteric Nervous System
- Gastrointestinal Secretion, Digestion and Absorption
- Hepatic, Biliary and Pancreatic Pathology
- Intestinal Pathology
- Liver, Biliary and Exocrine Pancreatic Physiology
- Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology
From other subjects
Kidney and urinary tract
22 articles
Filtration, fluid and electrolyte balance, kidney injury and urinary tract disease.
Urinary System
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Anatomy of the Kidneys, Bladder and Urethra
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Control of Plasma Osmolarity
- Control of Plasma Volume
- Control of Potassium
- Development of the Urinary System
- Diabetic Nephropathy
- Diuretics
- Glomerular Disease
- Glomerular Filtration Rate and the Measurement of Kidney Function
- Hyponatraemia
- Male Urological Conditions
- Micturition
- Prostate Pathology
- The Glomerulus: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion
- The Nephron
- Urinary Incontinence
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Urinary Tract Obstruction
- Urological Malignancy
From other subjects
Hormones and metabolism
14 articles
The endocrine glands and their disorders, with diabetes, nutrition and metabolic disease.
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
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Newborn Screening
- Nutrition, Diet and Body Weight
- Metabolic and Endocrine Regulation
- Temperature Regulation
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Endocrinology, Metabolism
Brain, mind and senses
48 articles
Neuroanatomy, head and neck, the senses, neurological disease, mental health and the drugs that treat them.
Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry
- Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
- Arterial Supply to the Brain
- Auditory and Vestibular Systems
- Basics of Neuroanatomy
- Cells and Components of the Nervous System
- Delirium
- Dementia
- Development of the Nervous System
- Headaches
- Higher Cortical Function
- Infections of the Central Nervous System
- Mood Disorders
- Motor System
- Movement Disorders
- Production and Circulation of CSF and Related Disorders
- Psychosis
- Raised Intracranial Pressure
- Reticular Formation
- Somatosensory System
- Stroke
- Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
- The Cerebellum: Circuits, Coordination and Clinical Signs
- The Hypothalamus and Limbic System
- Visual System
Head and Neck
- Anatomy of the Ear
- Autonomics of the Head and Neck
- Blood Supply to the Head and Neck
- Cranial Nerves I-VI
- Cranial Nerves VII-XII
- Development of the Head and Neck
- Ear Pathology
- Fascial Planes, Muscles and Triangles
- Head and Neck Cancers
- Imaging of the Head and Neck
- Introduction to Head & Neck Anatomy
- Lymph Nodes and Neck Lumps
- The Eye
- The Larynx
- The Meninges
- The Nose
- The Oral Cavity and Pharynx
- The Skull
- The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
Pharmacology
- Epilepsy and Anti-epileptic Drugs
- Parkinson's Disease and Myasthenia Gravis
- Introduction to Psychopharmacology
- Opioids
- Anaesthetics
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Neuroanatomy and Psychiatry, Head and Neck
Bones, joints, muscles and skin
19 articles
Musculoskeletal injury and inflammatory joint disease, with the drugs used for them.
Musculoskeletal System
- Conditions of the Ankle
- Conditions of the Arm
- Conditions of the Back and Neck
- Conditions of the Elbow
- Conditions of the Foot
- Conditions of the Hand
- Conditions of the Hip
- Conditions of the Knee
- Conditions of the Lower Back
- Conditions of the Lower Leg
- Conditions of the Shoulder and Clavicle
- Conditions of the Thigh
- Conditions of the Wrist
- Dermatomes and Myotomes
Immunology
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Musculoskeletal System, Immunology
Reproduction and pregnancy
25 articles
Reproductive anatomy and hormones, pregnancy, birth and the diseases of the reproductive tract.
Reproductive System
- Anatomy of the Man
- Anatomy of the Woman
- Benign Conditions of the Breast
- Development of the Reproductive System
- Diseases of the Mother in Pregnancy
- Gametogenesis
- Infections of the Reproductive Tract
- Introduction to the Breast
- Labour and Delivery
- Malignancies of the Reproductive Tract
- Malignant Breast Disease
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Physiology of the Fetus
- Physiology of the Mother
- Puberty
- Sex, Infertility and Contraception
- The Menopause
- The Menstrual Cycle and Menstrual Abnormalities
- The Pelvic Floor
- The Placenta
- The Postpartum Period
Embryology
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Reproductive System, Embryology
Cancer and disease processes
22 articles
How tumours arise and behave, the general mechanisms of disease, and the principles of drug safety.
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
Pharmacology
- Cancer Chemotherapy
- Poisoning and STOPP/START
- Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacogenetics
- Research Methods in Pharmacology
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Pathology, Pharmacology
Interprofessional Learning
12 articles
A Year 2 module. You choose a topic from sustainable health goals, ethics and law, or global health. These articles give related background in population science, patient safety and public health.
Population and Social Science
- Introduction to Population Science
- Population and Social Science Summary
- Health Economics
- Beliefs of the Public
- Models of Health
- Patient Safety and Quality Control
- Evidence-Based Practice
Patient-Centred Care
From other subjects
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: Population and Social Science, Patient-Centred Care
Throughout Years 1 and 2
Consultation and clinical skills
50 articles
History taking, examination and communication, practised from Year 1 and tracked as Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs: defined clinical tasks you must be able to do independently by graduation, starting with simple ones such as patient interviews and examinations) in your electronic portfolio (e-portfolio). These guides cover each examination step by step.
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
- Pigmented Skin Lesion OSCE Examination
- Rash and Non-Pigmented Skin Lesion OSCE Examination
- Breast OSCE Examination
- Lymphoreticular OSCE Examination
Surface anatomy
The wider consultation
Practice questions on SimpleMed+: OSCE, Patient-Centred Care
How Nottingham assesses Years 1 and 2
- Nottingham says assessment is likely to be practical, oral and written, and may include computer-based tests and clinical and professional skills assessments. It publishes no exam names for these years, so the labels at the top of each year, End of Year 1 exams and End of Year 2 exams, are general.
- Accounts from students on earlier versions of the course describe computer-based written exams, anatomy spotters (identifying labelled body parts or specimens) and OSCEs on healthy people. Check what applies to your year group.
- Entrustable Professional Activities are tracked in an e-portfolio, and the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA, the GMC test of core knowledge, skills and behaviours that you must pass to join the UK medical register) is built into the degree assessments.
- The course was redesigned from 2026 entry. Students who started earlier may follow the older module structure, which this page does not map.
- Nottingham 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
In Year 2 you spend one day a week in primary care teaching. From Year 3 the emphasis is on clinical rotations (placements that move you through different areas of medicine).
This is an independent revision guide written by SimpleMed. It is not endorsed by, or affiliated with, Nottingham Medical School or the University of Nottingham. Module names follow the published 2026 entry course page. Nottingham does not publish a topic list, so the units inside Art of Medicine and Science of Medicine and the article mapping are our own. Always check your official course materials. Last updated October 2026.
