December 1, 2011 (Vol. 31, No. 21)
URL:
http://www.med.umich.edu/neurology/nerve-whiz.htm
Rating:
Strong Points: Many modules, clinically relevant features
Weak Points: A navigation section would be useful
Platform:
Android Phone
Cost:
Free
Summary:
It is enough to give medical students a nerve-ous breakdown. Yep, I’m talking about nerves—you know, those complex peripheral nerves, nerve roots, and plexuses that will give even the heartiest mind a headache. So then, just think of the Nerve Whiz app, developed by a University of Michigan neurologist, as the aspirin to ameliorate your sore brain. This app contains four basic modules that link rote memorization with clinical relevance. The nerve and muscle chart provides a list of important nerves that can be sorted according to muscle, nerve, roots, action, trunk, or cord. The muscle localizer lets the user select a muscle that is weak in the patient and subsequently gives a possible list of localizations. The sensory localizer performs a similar task for arms and legs. Finally, the nerve diagrams are useful references that place nerves within the context of plexuses.