Syntax:
EXPLAIN [explain_type] SELECT select_options

explain_type:
    EXTENDED
  | PARTITIONS

Or:

EXPLAIN tbl_name

The EXPLAIN statement can be used either as a way to obtain information
about how MySQL executes a statement, or as a synonym for DESCRIBE:

o When you precede a SELECT statement with the keyword EXPLAIN, MySQL
  displays information from the optimizer about the query execution
  plan. That is, MySQL explains how it would process the statement,
  including information about how tables are joined and in which order.
  EXPLAIN EXTENDED can be used to obtain additional information.

  For information about using EXPLAIN and EXPLAIN EXTENDED to obtain
  query execution plan information, see
  http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/using-explain.html.

o EXPLAIN PARTITIONS is available beginning with MySQL 5.1.5. It is
  useful only when examining queries involving partitioned tables. For
  details, see
  http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/partitioning-info.html.

o EXPLAIN tbl_name is synonymous with DESCRIBE tbl_name or SHOW COLUMNS
  FROM tbl_name. For information about DESCRIBE and SHOW COLUMNS, see
  [HELP DESCRIBE], and [HELP SHOW COLUMNS].

URL: http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/explain.html

