If you are compiling a "Sketchy Micro Videos List" to organize your medical school studies, you are likely looking for a way to categorize the massive library of microbes—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—into a manageable curriculum.
Sketchy is the "gold standard" for medical microbiology, using the Method of Loci to turn dense clinical facts into memorable, bite-sized cartoons. Comprehensive Sketchy Micro Video Categories
A proper write-up for your list should follow the standard organizational structure used by the Sketchy Microbiology course: 1. Bacteria (The Foundation)
This is the largest section and is typically broken down by Gram stain and shape: Gram-Positive Cocci: Includes Staph aureus , Staph epidermidis , and the various Streptococcus species (e.g., " The Band of Strep Gram-Positive Bacilli: Clostridia (e.g., ), ("Santa's List"), and Gram-Negative Cocci: species. Gram-Negative Bacilli: Divided into Enterics (e.g., , Salmonella ) and Respiratory/Zoonotics (e.g., Bordetella , Pasteurella Other: Mycobacteria (TB), Spirochetes (Syphilis, Lyme), and 2. Viruses (RNA & DNA Families) Viruses are often grouped by their genome structure: RNA Viruses: Includes Picornaviridae Flaviviridae Coronaviridae DNA Viruses: Includes Herpesviridae Poxviridae Hepadnaviridae 3. Fungi (Mycology)
Categorized by systemic, opportunistic, or cutaneous infections: Systemic Mycoses: Histoplasma , Blastomyces , and Coccidioides Opportunistic: , Aspergillus , and Cryptococcus 4. Parasites (Protozoa & Helminths) 3/26/24: Master Microbiology with Sketchy
Sketchy Micro course is a visual learning tool used by medical students to memorize microbiology through "sketches" or memory palaces. The curriculum is divided into five main categories, covering approximately 100+ videos with a total runtime of roughly 14–17 hours
Below is a breakdown of the standard Sketchy Micro video list by category: 1. Bacteria
This is the largest section, focusing on gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Gram-Positive Cocci: Staphylococcus aureus Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A), Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B), Streptococcus pneumoniae Viridans streptococci Enterococcus Gram-Positive Rods: Bacillus anthracis Clostridium difficile Clostridium tetani Clostridium botulinum Clostridium perfringens Corynebacterium diphtheriae Listeria monocytogenes Gram-Negative Cocci: Neisseria meningitidis Neisseria gonorrhoeae Gram-Negative Rods (Enterics): Salmonella Klebsiella Enterobacter Campylobacter Helicobacter pylori Pseudomonas Gram-Negative Rods (Respiratory): Bordetella pertussis Haemophilus influenzae Legionella Pasteurella Zoonotics & Others: Francisella tularensis Yersinia pestis Leptospira Treponema pallidum (Syphilis). 2. Viruses Organized by DNA and RNA structures. DNA Viruses: Herpesviridae (HSV 1 & 2, , HHV-8), Poxvirus, Adenovirus , Papillomavirus, Polyomavirus, and Parvovirus. RNA Viruses (Positive Sense):
Picornavirus (Polio, Echo, Coxsackie, Rhino, Hepatitis A), Calicivirus (Norwalk), Flavivirus (Hepatitis C, Dengue, Yellow Fever, West Nile), (Rubella), and Coronavirus. RNA Viruses (Negative Sense): Orthomyxovirus (Influenza), Paramyxovirus (Measles, Mumps, RSV), Rhabdovirus (Rabies), Filovirus (Ebola/Marburg), Bunyavirus, Arenavirus , and Reovirus (Rotavirus). Covers systemic, opportunistic, and cutaneous mycoses. Histoplasma Blastomyces Coccidioides Paracoccidioides Cutaneous: Malassezia furfur Dermatophytes Sporothrix schenckii Opportunistic: Candida albicans Aspergillus fumigatus Cryptococcus neoformans Pneumocystis jirovecii 4. Parasites Entamoeba histolytica Cryptosporidium Toxoplasma gondii Trypanosoma brucei Leishmania Plasmodium (Malaria), and Helminths: Giant Roundworm Trematodes 5. Antimicrobials
Often categorized separately but essential to the Micro curriculum. Cell Wall Inhibitors:
Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Carbapenems, Monobactams, and Vancomycin. Protein Synthesis Inhibitors:
Aminoglycosides, Tetracyclines, Macrolides, and Clindamycin.
Fluoroquinolones, Sulfonamides, Metronidazole, and Antifungals/Antivirals.
You can view the full interactive curriculum and specific lesson titles on the official Sketchy Microbiology page Anki decks that correspond to these videos?
Sketchy Microbiology | Visual Learning for Medical and PA Students
Sketchy's Microbiology course breaks down even the most difficult topics into short and easy to understand lessons. Sketchy Micro Videos List-
The Sketchy Micro Videos List refers to a comprehensive curriculum of visual learning lessons designed to help medical students master microbiology through the "method of loci" (memory palaces). As of April 2026, the Sketchy Microbiology course includes over 100 high-yield lessons covering bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Core Video Categories
The curriculum is organized into major microbiological groups, each with dedicated "sketches" that use recurring symbols to represent clinical facts: Bacteria: Gram-Positive Cocci: Staphylococci Streptococci Gram-Positive Bacilli: Clostridium Gram-Negative Bacteria: Gonorrhoeae Meningitidis Moraxella catarrhalis Other: , Coxiella burnetii , Gardnerella vaginalis , Mycoplasma pneumoniae , and Rickettsia Viruses: RNA Viruses (Positive Sense): Picornaviridae Calicivirus RNA Viruses (Negative Sense): Orthomyxovirus Paramyxovirus Rhabdovirus Bunyavirus Arenavirus
Fungi & Parasites: Comprehensive lessons on systemic mycoses, protozoa, and helminths like Resources and Checklists
For students looking to track their progress, several third-party lists and official previews are available:
BnB, Sketchy, Bootcamp etc. video lists in Excel, updated 2023
This paper provides an overview and categorized list of the Sketchy Micro
(Microbiology) video series, a foundational resource in medical education that utilizes the "method of loci" to aid in long-term memorization. The curriculum is divided into four main units: Overview of the Sketchy Micro Curriculum
Sketchy Micro is the most high-yield series in the Sketchy Medical suite, totaling approximately
of content. Each video typically lasts between 5 and 20 minutes and uses distinct color-coding for quick orientation:
: Purple hues for gram-positive and red/red-pink tones for gram-negative. : Warm hues for RNA viruses and cool hues for DNA viruses. Study Method
: Effective use involves a combination of video watching, symbol review (visual flashcards), and targeted question banks like Categorized Video List 1. Bacteria
The bacterial unit is the most extensive, covering common pathogens tested on the USMLE Step 1.
The world of medical education has been revolutionized by visual mnemonics, and at the forefront of this shift is Sketchy Medical. Their "Micro" (Microbiology) course is legendary among medical students for turning a dry, rote-memorization subject into an unforgettable series of narrated stories.
If you are preparing for USMLE Step 1, COMLEX, or your preclinical years, having a clear roadmap of the Sketchy Micro videos list is essential for organizing your study schedule. 🦠 Bacteria: The Foundation of Clinical Micro
The bacterial section is the largest component of the Sketchy Micro library. It is divided into logical groupings based on Gram stain and morphology. Gram-Positive Cocci Staphylococcus aureus: The Golden Staff of Moses If you are compiling a "Sketchy Micro Videos
Staphylococcus epidermidis & saprophyticus: Beauty and the Plumber Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A): The Pie Genies' Bakery Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B): Galactic Baby Streptococcus pneumoniae: The Alpha Knight Tournament Viridans Streptococci: The Alpha Knight Tournament (Part 2) Enterococcus (faecalis & faecium): Protest at the Caucus Gram-Positive Bacilli Bacillus anthracis & cereus: King Anthra’s Axe Clostridium tetani: Research and Tetany Clostridium botulinum: Robotulism Clostridium difficile: Field Trip to the Chocolate Factory
Clostridium perfringens: Private Ringen’s Motorcycle Crash Corynebacterium diphtheriae: Corazón de la Corrida Listeria monocytogenes: Santa’s List Gram-Negative Cocci Neisseria meningitidis: A Shocking Night on Campus Neisseria gonorrhoeae: The Violinist’s Last Performance Gram-Negative Bacilli (Enterics) Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia: The Dinosaur Hospital Salmonella typhi & enteritidis: The Salmon Dinner Shigella: She-Gorilla’s Circus Escherichia coli (ETEC, EHEC): E. cola’s Soda Fountain Yersinia enterocolitica: Justin Time for the Plague Campylobacter jejuni: Camping Guy on the Lake Vibrio cholerae: Colonel Cholera’s Base Camp Helicobacter pylori: The Helicopter Pilot 🍄 Fungi: The Great Outdoors
Sketchy uses a consistent "outdoor" or "natural" theme for most fungal pathogens, making them easy to distinguish from bacteria. Histoplasmosis: The Historian’s Cave Blastomycosis: The Civil War Battlefield Coccidioidomycosis: Presidio del Solo Paracoccidioidomycosis: Piratas del Sur Dermatophytes: Tinea Tin Candida albicans: Kan-da the Albino Giant Cryptococcus neoformans: The Crypt Aspergillus fumigatus: Asparagus Farm Pneumocystis jirovecii: PCP Ping Pong 🧬 Viruses: RNA and DNA Realms
Viruses are categorized by their genetic material and whether they are enveloped or naked. DNA Viruses HSV 1 & 2: Hermes the God of Herpes EBV: Ye Olde Epstein Bar CMV: Cyto-Mega-Vegas VZV: Varicella Zeus-ter Virus HHV-6/7/8: Roseola and Kaposi’s Cafe Poxvirus: The Pox in a Box Hepatitis B: Hep B Love RNA Viruses Orthomyxovirus (Influenza): Night Shift at the Orthodontist Paramyxovirus: Paranormal Mixer Rhabdovirus: Rabid Dog Filovirus (Ebola/Marburg): Soccer Field Coronavirus: The Kingdom of the Sun HIV/AIDS: The One with the Flute Player 🪱 Parasites: Protozoa and Helminths
This section covers everything from malaria to intestinal worms. Giardia lamblia: Giardia Jungle Ride Entamoeba histolytica: Entamoeba Hole-in-One Cryptosporidium: The Tales from the Crypt Toxoplasma gondii: Toxoplasma Cat Lady Leishmania & Trypanosoma: The Brazilian Soccer Match Plasmodium (Malaria): The Queens of the Nile 💡 How to Use This List Effectively
Watch once for context: Don't take notes the first time. Just follow the story.
Review the symbols: Use the "hotspot" feature on the Sketchy website to memorize what each item (e.g., a cat, a broken glass) means.
Anki Integration: Use the AnKing deck (specifically the Sketchy tags) to move these images into your long-term memory.
Practice Questions: Immediately do UWorld or Amboss questions for the specific bug you just watched. Which organ systems are you struggling with most? Do you prefer intensive review or a slow, steady pace?
I can then calculate exactly how many videos you should watch per day to finish on time.
video series, organized by organism type to help you track your progress. Sketchy Microbiology utilizes the method of loci (memory palaces) to help you memorize high-yield facts for medical exams like USMLE Step 1. I. Gram-Positive Bacteria Topic Number Video Title / Organism Status (☐) Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus epidermidis saprophyticus Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep) Streptococcus pneumoniae Streptococcus viridans Enterococcus faecalis II. Gram-Negative Bacteria Topic Number Video Title / Organism Status (☐) Neisseria meningitidis Neisseria gonorrhoeae Enterobacteriaceae Overview Escherichia coli Klebsiella , Enterobacter, & Salmonella enteritidis Pseudomonas aeruginosa Legionella pneumophila III. Other Key Bacteria & Mycology Acid-Fast: Mycobacterium tuberculosis , Mycobacterium leprae Spirochetes: Treponema pallidum (Syphilis), Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease), Leptospira interrogans Fungi: Histoplasma capsulatum , Blastomyces dermatitidis , Coccidioides immitis , Candida albicans , Aspergillus fumigatus IV. Viruses & Parasites DNA Viruses: Parvovirus B19 RNA Viruses: Orthomyxovirus Paramyxovirus (Measles/Mumps), Retroviruses Picornaviruses Parasites: Giardia lamblia , Entamoeba histolytica , Plasmodium (Malaria), Toxoplasma gondii Recommended Study Resources
Checklists: You can find comprehensive Excel or PDF checklists on community platforms like Reddit's Medical School Anki or Reddit's Step 1 subreddits to track every sub-video and runtime.
Interactive Practice: Use Sketchy's official cases to apply your knowledge to clinical scenarios.
Supplement: Pair these videos with the First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 text for the most effective retention.
Master the Micro: Your Ultimate Sketchy Microbiology Video Guide Viruses
If you are a medical student, you know that Sketchy Microbiology is more than just a resource—it is a lifeline. By turning dense bacterial and viral characteristics into memorable visual "sketches" using the method of loci, Sketchy helps you lock in high-yield facts for your shelf exams and USMLE Step 1.
With roughly 14 hours of core content to cover, efficiency is everything. This blog post breaks down the essential Sketchy Micro videos you need to prioritize to crush your next block. Must-Watch High-Yield Videos
According to student consensus and high-yield checklists, these are the heavy hitters you shouldn't miss: Gram-Positive Cocci:
Staph aureus: The "Golden Staff of Moses" sketch is foundational for understanding catalase-positive organisms.
Strep pyogenes (Group A): The "Pie Genies" sketch simplifies complex toxins and sequelae.
Strep agalactiae (Group B): Crucial for neonatal infections; focus on the "Galactic Baby". Gram-Negative Rods:
Pseudomonas: The "Suited-up Soldier" sketch is packed with antibiotic resistance and virulence factors.
Legionella: Look for the "S.S. Loophole" to master this tricky atypical. Mycobacteria & Others:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A massive sketch that is vital for both Micro and Pharmacology sections.
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae: Famous for the "Uterus Chandelier" memory hook. Parasites & Fungi:
Cestodes (Tenia genus): These parasites are illustrated under designated tents for easy grouping. 3 Pro Tips for Maximizing Retention
Simply watching isn't enough. Here is how to make the sketches "stick" for the long haul:
Prepare for Your Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation - Sketchy Blog
Sketchy uses high-context scenes like "The Mushroom Hunter" and "The Campground" for these.
| Video Name | Key Organism / Topic | High-Yield Takeaway | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Candida Albicans | Thrush/vaginitis | Pseudohyphae; germ tube positive. | | Aspergillus Fumigatus | Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) | Septate hyphae branching at 45°. | | Cryptococcus Neoformans | Meningitis | "Soap bubble" lesions; India ink. | | Histoplasma Capsulatum | Cave disease | Ohio/Mississippi river valley; intracellular. | | Blastomyces Dermatitidis | Blastomycosis | "Broad-based budding." | | Coccidioides Immitis | Valley fever | Spherules (not budding). | | Paracoccidioides Brasiliensis | South American blasto | "Pilot wheel" budding. | | Mucor/Rhizopus | Mucormycosis | Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA); non-septate hyphae. | | Pneumocystis Jirovecii | PCP | HIV OI; "Cyst" with dot; TMP-SMX. | | Sporothrix Schenckii | Rose gardener's | Lymphocutaneous spread. |