BDS General Anatomy Syllabus

General Anatomy syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Anatomy in BDS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Introduction to Anatomy

   2 topics

   • Definition and Scope
     • Branches of Anatomy
     • Anatomical Terminology
   • Anatomical Position and Planes
     • Anatomical Position
     • Body Planes and Sections
2. 2

   Upper Limb

   4 topics

   • Bones of the Upper Limb
     • Clavicle
     • Scapula
     • Humerus
     • Radius and Ulna
     • Bones of the Hand
   • Muscles of the Upper Limb
     • Muscles of the Shoulder
     • Muscles of the Arm
     • Muscles of the Forearm
     • Muscles of the Hand
   • Nerves of the Upper Limb
     • Brachial Plexus
     • Peripheral Nerves
   • Blood Vessels of the Upper Limb
     • Arteries
     • Veins
3. 3

   Lower Limb

   4 topics

   • Bones of the Lower Limb
     • Pelvic Girdle
     • Femur
     • Patella
     • Tibia and Fibula
     • Bones of the Foot
   • Muscles of the Lower Limb
     • Muscles of the Hip
     • Muscles of the Thigh
     • Muscles of the Leg
     • Muscles of the Foot
   • Nerves of the Lower Limb
     • Lumbosacral Plexus
     • Peripheral Nerves
   • Blood Vessels of the Lower Limb
     • Arteries
     • Veins
4. 4

   Thorax

   5 topics

   • Bones of the Thorax
     • Sternum
     • Ribs
     • Thoracic Vertebrae
   • Muscles of the Thorax
     • Intercostal Muscles
     • Diaphragm
   • Organs of the Thorax
     • Heart
     • Lungs
     • Esophagus
   • Nerves of the Thorax
     • Phrenic Nerve
     • Vagus Nerve
   • Blood Vessels of the Thorax
     • Aorta
     • Pulmonary Arteries and Veins
5. 5

   Abdomen

   4 topics

   • Abdominal Wall
     • Layers of the Abdominal Wall
     • Muscles of the Abdominal Wall
   • Organs of the Abdomen
     • Stomach
     • Intestines
     • Liver
     • Pancreas
     • Spleen
     • Kidneys
   • Nerves of the Abdomen
     • Autonomic Nerves
     • Somatic Nerves
   • Blood Vessels of the Abdomen
     • Aorta and its Branches
     • Inferior Vena Cava
6. 6

   Pelvis and Perineum

   5 topics

   • Bones of the Pelvis
     • Pelvic Girdle
     • Sacrum and Coccyx
   • Muscles of the Pelvis and Perineum
     • Pelvic Floor Muscles
     • Perineal Muscles
   • Organs of the Pelvis
     • Bladder
     • Reproductive Organs
     • Rectum
   • Nerves of the Pelvis
     • Sacral Plexus
     • Pudendal Nerve
   • Blood Vessels of the Pelvis
     • Internal Iliac Artery and Vein
7. 7

   Head and Neck

   5 topics

   • Bones of the Head and Neck
     • Cranium
     • Facial Bones
     • Cervical Vertebrae
   • Muscles of the Head and Neck
     • Facial Muscles
     • Masticatory Muscles
     • Neck Muscles
   • Nerves of the Head and Neck
     • Cranial Nerves
     • Cervical Plexus
   • Blood Vessels of the Head and Neck
     • Carotid Arteries
     • Jugular Veins
   • Organs of the Head and Neck
     • Brain
     • Eyes
     • Ears
     • Nose
     • Mouth
     • Throat
8. 8

   Neuroanatomy

   3 topics

   • Central Nervous System
     • Brain
     • Spinal Cord
   • Peripheral Nervous System
     • Peripheral Nerves
     • Ganglia
   • Autonomic Nervous System
     • Sympathetic Division
     • Parasympathetic Division
9. 9

   Histology

   2 topics

   • Tissues of the Body
     • Epithelial Tissue
     • Connective Tissue
     • Muscle Tissue
     • Nervous Tissue
   • Microscopic Anatomy of Organs
     • Microscopic Anatomy of the Heart
     • Microscopic Anatomy of the Lungs
     • Microscopic Anatomy of the Liver
     • Microscopic Anatomy of the Kidneys
10. 10

    Embryology

    2 topics

    • Basic Concepts
      • Fertilization
      • Cleavage and Blastocyst Formation
      • Gastrulation
    • Development of Organ Systems
      • Development of the Heart
      • Development of the Nervous System
      • Development of the Gastrointestinal System
      • Development of the Urinary System
      • Development of the Reproductive System

General Anatomy flashcards for BDS

23 of 51 cards from the General Anatomy deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Define anatomy and distinguish gross anatomy from histology.

   Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body and the relationships between its parts. Gross (macroscopic) anatomy studies structures visible to the naked eye, whereas histology (microscopic anatomy) studies tissues and cells using a microscope.

2. What are the main subdivisions of gross anatomy by approach?

   Regional anatomy (study by body region), systemic anatomy (study by organ system, e.g., cardiovascular), surface anatomy (external features relative to deeper structures), and clinical/applied anatomy (structure relevant to medical practice).

3. Describe the standard anatomical position.

   The body stands erect, facing forward, with the head level and eyes directed to the horizon; feet flat, directed forward; upper limbs by the sides with palms facing forward (forearms supinated).

4. Name the three principal anatomical planes and their orientation.

   Sagittal plane (vertical, divides body into left and right; midsagittal is the midline), coronal/frontal plane (vertical, divides into anterior and posterior), and transverse/horizontal (axial) plane (divides into superior and inferior).

5. Define the directional terms superior, inferior, medial, and lateral.

   Superior = toward the head (cranial); inferior = toward the feet (caudal); medial = toward the median plane; lateral = away from the median plane.

6. Distinguish the anatomical terms proximal and distal, and their use in limbs.

   Proximal means nearer to the trunk or point of origin of a limb; distal means farther from the trunk. Example: the elbow is proximal to the wrist; the fingers are distal to the wrist.

7. List the bones of the pectoral (shoulder) girdle and the arm.

   Pectoral girdle: clavicle and scapula. Arm (brachium): humerus.

8. Name the two bones of the forearm and state their positions in the anatomical position.

   The radius (lateral, thumb side) and the ulna (medial, little-finger side).

9. How are the carpal bones organized, and name the proximal row from lateral to medial.

   Eight carpals in two rows of four. Proximal row (lateral to medial): scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform.

10. Name the distal row of carpal bones from lateral to medial.

    Trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate.

11. State the number of metacarpals and phalanges in one hand.

    Five metacarpals (one per digit) and fourteen phalanges (three per finger and two in the thumb).

12. Which rotator cuff muscles form the SITS group and what is their shared function?

    Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, and Subscapularis. They stabilize the glenohumeral joint by holding the humeral head in the glenoid cavity.

13. Name the muscles of the anterior compartment of the arm and their common action.

    Biceps brachii, brachialis, and coracobrachialis. They chiefly flex the elbow (biceps also supinates the forearm); all are supplied by the musculocutaneous nerve.

14. Which muscle occupies the posterior compartment of the arm and what is its action?

    Triceps brachii, the main extensor of the elbow, supplied by the radial nerve.

15. Contrast the general actions of the anterior and posterior forearm compartments.

    The anterior (flexor) compartment flexes the wrist and fingers and pronates the forearm (mainly median nerve); the posterior (extensor) compartment extends the wrist and fingers and supinates (radial nerve).

16. From which spinal segments do the roots of the brachial plexus arise?

    The anterior rami of C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1.

17. List the five terminal branches of the brachial plexus.

    Musculocutaneous, axillary, radial, median, and ulnar nerves.

18. What is the sensory and motor deficit caused by injury to the ulnar nerve at the wrist?

    Sensory loss over the medial 1.5 fingers; motor loss of most intrinsic hand muscles causing a 'claw hand' (hyperextension at MCP and flexion at IP joints of the 4th and 5th fingers) and weakened grip/adduction.

19. What deformity results from radial nerve injury in the arm (mid-shaft humerus)?

    Wrist drop, due to paralysis of the extensors of the wrist and fingers, with sensory loss over the dorsum of the hand (first web space).

20. Trace the main arterial supply of the upper limb from the subclavian artery to the hand.

    Subclavian artery becomes the axillary artery (at the outer border of the 1st rib), then the brachial artery (at the lower border of teres major), which divides in the cubital fossa into the radial and ulnar arteries; these form the superficial and deep palmar arches.

21. Where is the brachial artery pulse best palpated, and what is its clinical use?

    In the cubital fossa, medial to the biceps brachii tendon; it is the standard site for auscultating blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer.

22. Which two arteries form the palmar arches of the hand?

    The superficial palmar arch is mainly the continuation of the ulnar artery; the deep palmar arch is mainly the continuation of the radial artery.

23. Name the bones of the pelvic girdle and the components of the hip bone.

    The pelvic girdle consists of the two hip (coxal) bones. Each hip bone is formed by the fusion of the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which meet at the acetabulum.

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