MBBS Anatomy Syllabus

Anatomy syllabus — full chapter and topic list

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

1. 1

   General Anatomy

   4 topics

   • Introduction to Anatomy
     • Definition
     • Subdivisions
     • Scope
   • Anatomical terms
     • Positional terms
     • Directional terms
     • Regional terms
   • Body cavities and their contents
   • Anatomical planes and sections
2. 2

   Histology

   5 topics

   • Introduction to Histology
     • Basic tissue types (epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous)
   • Structure and Function of Epithelial Tissue
   • Structure and Function of Connective Tissue
     • Types of fibers
     • Types of cells
     • Ground substance
   • Muscle Tissue
     • Skeletal Muscles
     • Smooth Muscles
     • Cardiac Muscles
   • Nervous Tissue
     • Neurons
     • Neuroglia
     • Nerve Impulses
3. 3

   Osteology

   5 topics

   • Structure and functions of bones
   • Classification of bones
     • Long bones
     • Short bones
     • Flat bones
     • Irregular bones
   • Gross anatomy of typical long bone
   • Development and ossification of bones
   • Joints
     • Classification
     • Types of movements
4. 4

   Arthrology

   3 topics

   • Classification of joints
     • Fibrous
     • Cartilaginous
     • Synovial
   • Structure and function of synovial joints
   • Types of synovial joints
     • Ball-and-socket
     • Hinge
     • Pivot
     • Saddle
     • Condyloid
     • Gliding
5. 5

   Myology

   4 topics

   • Muscles of the human body
     • Classification and naming conventions
   • Gross anatomy of skeletal muscles
     • Origin, insertion, action, and innervation
   • Muscle architecture
     • Fascicles
     • Tendons
     • Aponeuroses
   • Microscopic anatomy of skeletal muscle
     • Sarcomere structure
     • Sliding filament theory
6. 6

   Neuroanatomy

   5 topics

   • Central nervous system (CNS)
     • Brain and spinal cord
   • Gross anatomy of the brain
     • Cerebrum
     • Cerebellum
     • Brainstem
     • Diencephalon
   • Ventricles of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation
   • Spinal cord
     • Structure
     • Tracts
     • Spinal nerves
   • Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
     • Cranial nerves
     • Spinal nerves
7. 7

   Surface Anatomy

   2 topics

   • Landmarks and surface features of the human body
   • Clinical significance of surface anatomy: Landmarks for palpation, auscultation, and surgical procedures
8. 8

   Embryology

   3 topics

   • Development of the human embryo
     • Fertilization
     • Implantation
     • Embryonic development stages
   • Formation of germ layers
     • Ectoderm
     • Mesoderm
     • Endoderm
   • Development of major organ systems
     • Nervous system
     • Cardiovascular system
     • Musculoskeletal system
9. 9

   Radiological Anatomy

   2 topics

   • Basics of medical imaging techniques
     • X-ray
     • CT scan
     • MRI
     • Ultrasound
   • Interpretation of radiological images
     • Normal anatomical structures
     • Pathological findings

Anatomy flashcards for MBBS

24 of 50 cards from the Anatomy deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Define anatomy.

   Anatomy is the branch of biological science that deals with the study of the structure of the body and the relationship of its parts to one another. The word derives from the Greek 'ana' (apart) and 'tome' (to cut), meaning 'to cut apart' (dissection).

2. What are the main subdivisions of anatomy?

   Gross (macroscopic) anatomy, microscopic anatomy (histology and cytology), developmental anatomy (embryology), and neuroanatomy. Gross anatomy may be studied regionally, systemically, or as surface/clinical anatomy.

3. Define the anatomical position.

   The body stands erect, facing forward (eyes directed to the horizon), with the feet together and flat on the floor, upper limbs by the sides, and the palms facing forward (forearms supinated). All anatomical descriptions are made relative to this standard reference position.

4. Differentiate the directional terms superior/inferior and anterior/posterior.

   Superior (cranial) = toward the head/upper part; inferior (caudal) = toward the feet/lower part. Anterior (ventral) = toward the front of the body; posterior (dorsal) = toward the back.

5. Define the terms medial, lateral, proximal, and distal.

   Medial = nearer the midline; lateral = farther from the midline. Proximal = nearer the trunk or point of origin/attachment (of a limb); distal = farther from the trunk or origin.

6. Define the directional terms superficial and deep.

   Superficial = nearer to or at the body surface; deep = farther from the surface, more internal. Also: external (outer) versus internal (inner).

7. Name the four major body cavities derived from the dorsal and ventral cavities.

   Dorsal cavity: cranial cavity (brain) and vertebral/spinal canal (spinal cord). Ventral cavity: thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity (separated by the diaphragm).

8. What are the contents and subdivisions of the thoracic cavity?

   The thoracic cavity contains two pleural cavities (each holding a lung) and the central mediastinum. The mediastinum contains the heart (in the pericardial cavity), great vessels, trachea, esophagus, thymus, and associated nerves.

9. How is the abdominopelvic cavity subdivided and what does each part contain?

   It is divided into the abdominal cavity (stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys) and the pelvic cavity (urinary bladder, rectum, and internal reproductive organs).

10. What are serous membranes, and name the three serous cavities lined by them.

    Serous membranes are thin double-layered membranes (parietal and visceral layers) lining closed body cavities and secreting lubricating serous fluid. The three serous cavities are the pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal cavities.

11. Define the sagittal, coronal (frontal), and transverse anatomical planes.

    Sagittal plane = vertical plane dividing the body into right and left parts (the midsagittal/median plane divides it into equal halves). Coronal/frontal plane = vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts. Transverse (horizontal/axial) plane = divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

12. What is the difference between a longitudinal section and an oblique section?

    A longitudinal section is a cut along the long axis of a structure or the body. An oblique section is a cut made at any angle other than a right angle (i.e., not strictly sagittal, coronal, or transverse).

13. Define histology.

    Histology is the microscopic study of the structure of tissues — the study of how cells and extracellular matrix are organized into the four basic tissue types and how that organization relates to function. It is also called microscopic anatomy.

14. Name the four basic (primary) tissue types of the body.

    Epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue.

15. What is the most common histological staining method and what do its components stain?

    Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). Hematoxylin is basic and stains acidic/basophilic structures (e.g., nuclei, ribosomes) blue-purple; eosin is acidic and stains basic/eosinophilic structures (e.g., cytoplasm, collagen) pink-red.

16. State the general functions of epithelial tissue.

    Protection, absorption, secretion, excretion, filtration, diffusion, and sensory reception. Epithelium covers surfaces, lines cavities and vessels, and forms glands.

17. List the defining characteristics of epithelial tissue.

    Cellularity (closely packed cells, little extracellular matrix), polarity (apical and basal surfaces), attachment to a basement membrane, avascularity (no blood vessels; nourished by diffusion), innervation, and a high capacity for regeneration.

18. How is covering and lining epithelium classified by cell layers and cell shape?

    By layers: simple (one layer) or stratified (multiple layers); a special type is pseudostratified. By cell shape: squamous (flat), cuboidal (cube-like), or columnar (tall/column-like). The two are combined, e.g., simple squamous, stratified squamous.

19. Give a location for simple squamous, simple columnar, and stratified squamous epithelium.

    Simple squamous: alveoli of lungs, endothelium of vessels, mesothelium of serous cavities (diffusion/filtration). Simple columnar: lining of the stomach and intestines (absorption/secretion). Stratified squamous: epidermis (keratinized) and lining of the mouth, esophagus, vagina (protection, non-keratinized).

20. What is the difference between exocrine and endocrine glands?

    Exocrine glands secrete their products onto an epithelial surface via ducts (e.g., sweat, salivary glands). Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the blood/interstitial fluid (e.g., thyroid, pituitary).

21. State the general functions of connective tissue.

    Binding and support, protection, insulation, storage (e.g., fat), and transport of substances (e.g., blood). It connects, supports, and surrounds other tissues and organs.

22. What are the three basic components of connective tissue?

    Cells, protein fibers, and ground substance. The fibers and ground substance together form the extracellular matrix, which is the dominant feature of most connective tissues.

23. Name the three types of protein fibers found in connective tissue and their properties.

    Collagen fibers (strong, tough, resist tension), elastic fibers (containing elastin; stretch and recoil), and reticular fibers (fine collagen forming supportive networks/stroma in organs).

24. Classify the main types of connective tissue proper.

    Loose connective tissue (areolar, adipose, reticular) and dense connective tissue (dense regular, e.g., tendons/ligaments; dense irregular, e.g., dermis; and dense elastic).

See more Anatomy flashcards →

Planning Anatomy for MBBS

Anatomy (MBBS) FAQ