MRCS Part A 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 MRCS Part A, 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

Anatomy flashcards for MRCS Part A

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

1. What is gross anatomy (macroscopic anatomy)?

   The study of body structures visible to the naked eye, without the use of magnification, as opposed to histology (microscopic anatomy).

2. Define the standard 'anatomical position'.

   Standing erect, feet together, facing forward, arms at the sides with palms facing forward (supinated), and head/eyes directed straight ahead. All anatomical descriptions are relative to this position.

3. Name the three principal anatomical planes and their orientations.

   Sagittal (vertical, divides into left/right; the midsagittal/median lies in the midline), Coronal/frontal (vertical, divides into anterior/posterior), and Transverse/axial/horizontal (divides into superior/inferior).

4. Distinguish the anatomical terms 'proximal' and 'distal'.

   Proximal means nearer to the trunk or point of origin of a limb; distal means further from the trunk or origin (e.g. the wrist is distal to the elbow).

5. List the bones of the upper limb from proximal to distal.

   Clavicle and scapula (pectoral girdle), humerus (arm), radius and ulna (forearm), 8 carpals, 5 metacarpals, and 14 phalanges of the hand.

6. Name the eight carpal bones in the two rows.

   Proximal row (lateral to medial): scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform. Distal row: trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate. Mnemonic: 'Some Lovers Try Positions That They Can't Handle.'

7. Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured, and why is it clinically important?

   The scaphoid. Its blood supply enters distally (retrograde), so a proximal fracture risks avascular necrosis and non-union; tenderness is elicited in the anatomical snuffbox.

8. What is the surgical neck of the humerus and which structures are at risk there?

   A constriction just distal to the greater and lesser tubercles; fractures here endanger the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery.

9. Which nerve winds around the radial (spiral) groove of the humerus?

   The radial nerve (with the profunda brachii artery); mid-shaft humeral fractures may injure it, causing wrist drop.

10. Name the four muscles of the rotator cuff and their collective function.

    Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis (SITS). They stabilise the glenohumeral joint by holding the humeral head in the glenoid cavity.

11. What movements does the biceps brachii produce, and what is its nerve supply?

    Flexion of the elbow and, importantly, supination of the forearm; supplied by the musculocutaneous nerve (C5–C6).

12. Which muscles form the borders of the cubital fossa?

    Superolateral: brachioradialis; superomedial: pronator teres; the base (superior) is a line between the humeral epicondyles. Roof: bicipital aponeurosis; floor: brachialis and supinator.

13. Name the five terminal branches of the brachial plexus.

    Musculocutaneous, Axillary, Radial, Median, and Ulnar nerves. Mnemonic: 'My Aunt Raced My Uncle.'

14. What is the classic sign and cause of ulnar nerve injury at the elbow?

    'Claw hand' (ulnar claw) — hyperextension at the MCP joints and flexion at the IP joints of the 4th and 5th digits, with loss of medial 1.5 fingers sensation; often from medial epicondyle injury.

15. What deficit results from median nerve injury at the wrist (carpal tunnel)?

    Loss of thenar muscle function (opposition/abduction of the thumb) with wasting, and sensory loss over the lateral 3.5 digits palmar surface.

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

    Subclavian → axillary (at 1st rib lateral border) → brachial (at teres major) → radial and ulnar (at the cubital fossa) → superficial and deep palmar arches.

17. Which artery is used clinically for the pulse at the wrist, and where is it palpated?

    The radial artery, palpated lateral to the flexor carpi radialis tendon over the distal radius.

18. List the bones of the lower limb from proximal to distal.

    Hip bone (ilium, ischium, pubis), femur, patella, tibia and fibula, 7 tarsals, 5 metatarsals, and 14 phalanges.

19. Name the seven tarsal bones.

    Calcaneus, talus, navicular, cuboid, and the medial, intermediate, and lateral cuneiforms.

20. What is the significance of the femoral neck fracture with regard to blood supply?

    The femoral head is supplied mainly by the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries via retinacular vessels along the neck; intracapsular neck fractures disrupt these and risk avascular necrosis of the head.

21. Which muscles make up the quadriceps femoris and what is their action and innervation?

    Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius. They extend the knee (rectus femoris also flexes the hip); innervated by the femoral nerve (L2–L4).

22. Name the three hamstring muscles and their common innervation.

    Biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus. They flex the knee and extend the hip; innervated by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve (biceps short head by the common fibular division).

23. What are the boundaries of the femoral triangle?

    Superior: inguinal ligament; lateral: sartorius; medial: adductor longus. Contents (lateral to medial): femoral Nerve, Artery, Vein, and Canal/lymphatics (NAVEL).

24. Which nerve is injured with fibular neck fractures, and what is the resulting deficit?

    The common fibular (peroneal) nerve, causing foot drop — loss of dorsiflexion and eversion — and sensory loss over the dorsum of the foot.

See more Anatomy flashcards →

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Anatomy (MRCS Part A) FAQ