Finals Week Poetry Breakdown

Reflecting on this block's learning experiences, with a poetic form suited for each.

Pathology (the haiku, a form of infinite subtlety, that nonetheless comes down to just a handful of words--much like a path report).

Bridging necrosis
and Mallory's hyaline:
cirrhosis, but why?

Kill the eponyms?
But won't we hurt Cushing
and Virchow's feelings?

If I never see
One more liver biopsy
It won't make me sad.

Bullous pemphigoid
or mycosis fungoides?
Which one looks grosser?


Dermatology (couplets--short and sweet, and simple to write, just like prescriptions for Retin-A and steroid cream).

Your autoantibodies to desmoglein three
mean pemphigus vulgaris. Better you than me.

I'm sorry to inform you, your mole's cellular division
has crossed the line, and now it's time for a complete excision.

The necklace hubby bought you has given you a rash;
it's called contact dermatitis; next time, tell him, blow more cash.

(Especially for Dr. A. C. L. of dermatopath):
If the lesion is pigmented but the biopsy's a shave
expect at best an angry phone call and at worst an early grave.


Endocrine (Limericks--because everyone knows endocrinology is funny. Right? Um.)

A woman who hailed from Tacoma
had a sizable prolactinoma.
She started lactating,
but more devastating,
Her leg hair required a comb-a.

The doctor she saw told her, "Well,
I can see something wrong in your sell'
turcica--if you're keen,
Try this cabergoline,"
And she did, and it all turned out swell.

GI still to come...