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NEET MDS General Anatomy Syllabus

The General Anatomy syllabus for NEET MDS in full: 10 chapters, 36 topics and 102 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 52 General Anatomy flashcards with answers.

10Chapters
36Topics
102Sub-topics
52Flashcards

General Anatomy syllabus: all 10 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Neuroanatomy

     3 topics
    • Central Nervous System
      • Brain
      • Spinal Cord
    • Peripheral Nervous System
      • Peripheral Nerves
      • Ganglia
    • Autonomic Nervous System
      • Sympathetic Division
      • Parasympathetic Division

  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. 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

NEET MDS General Anatomy flashcards — 52 questions with answers

  1. What is the anatomical definition of 'anatomy' and what does the subdivision 'gross anatomy' specifically study?

    Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body and the relationships of its parts. Gross (macroscopic) anatomy studies structures visible to the naked eye, without a microscope.

  2. Define the standard 'anatomical position' used as the reference for describing body parts.

    Body erect, eyes facing forward, feet together (or slightly apart), arms hanging at the sides with the palms facing forward (forearms supinated).

  3. Name the three principal anatomical planes and the orientation of each.

    Sagittal (vertical, divides into left/right), Coronal/frontal (vertical, divides into anterior/posterior), and Transverse/horizontal/axial (divides into superior/inferior).

  4. Distinguish the directional terms 'proximal' and 'distal' as applied to a limb.

    Proximal = nearer to the trunk or point of attachment/origin; Distal = farther from the trunk or point of origin (e.g., the wrist is distal to the elbow).

  5. List the bones forming the pectoral (shoulder) girdle and the bone of the arm.

    Pectoral girdle: clavicle and scapula. Bone of the arm (brachium): humerus.

  6. Name the two bones of the forearm and state which lies on the lateral (thumb) side.

    Radius and ulna. The radius lies laterally (on the thumb side) in the anatomical position; the ulna is medial.

  7. How many carpal bones are there, and name them from the proximal row laterally to medially.

    Eight carpal bones. Proximal row (lateral to medial): scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform. Distal row: trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate.

  8. Which muscles form the rotator cuff, and what is their collective function?

    Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, Subscapularis (SITS). They stabilize the glenohumeral joint and assist in rotation/abduction of the arm.

  9. Name the two heads of the biceps brachii and its main actions at the elbow and forearm.

    Long head and short head. It flexes the elbow and is a powerful supinator of the forearm; it also weakly flexes the shoulder.

  10. Which nerve innervates most of the anterior (flexor) compartment of the forearm, and which one supplies the muscles of the thenar eminence?

    The median nerve supplies most anterior forearm flexors and the thenar (LOAF) muscles; the recurrent branch of the median nerve specifically supplies the thenar eminence.

  11. State the root values (spinal levels) of the brachial plexus.

    Ventral rami of C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1.

  12. Which nerve is most commonly injured in a fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus, and what deficit results?

    The axillary nerve. Injury causes deltoid paralysis (loss of arm abduction) and loss of sensation over the 'regimental badge' area of the lateral shoulder.

  13. Trace the continuity of the main arterial trunk from the axilla to the forearm.

    Subclavian artery becomes the axillary artery (at the lateral border of the 1st rib), which becomes the brachial artery (at the lower border of teres major), which divides into the radial and ulnar arteries at the cubital fossa.

  14. Which superficial vein of the upper limb is commonly used for venipuncture in the cubital fossa, and which two veins does it connect?

    The median cubital vein; it connects the cephalic vein (lateral) and the basilic vein (medial).

  15. Name the bones forming the pelvic girdle and the single bone of the thigh.

    Pelvic girdle: the hip bone (os coxae), formed by fusion of ilium, ischium, and pubis. Bone of the thigh: femur.

  16. Name the two bones of the leg and state which is weight-bearing.

    Tibia (medial, weight-bearing, forms the knee and ankle joints) and fibula (lateral, primarily for muscle attachment, bears little weight).

  17. Which is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and within which tendon does it lie?

    The patella; it lies within the tendon of the quadriceps femoris muscle.

  18. Name the muscles of the quadriceps femoris group and their common insertion.

    Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius. They insert via the quadriceps/patellar tendon onto the tibial tuberosity and extend the knee.

  19. Name the three hamstring muscles and their common nerve supply.

    Biceps femoris (long head), semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, supplied by the tibial division of the sciatic nerve (the short head of biceps by the common fibular division).

  20. What are the two terminal branches of the sciatic nerve and the general region each supplies?

    Tibial nerve (supplies the posterior compartment of the leg and sole of the foot) and common fibular/peroneal nerve (supplies the anterior and lateral compartments of the leg and dorsum of the foot).

Show the other 32 General Anatomy flashcards

  1. Injury to which nerve causes 'foot drop', and what is the resulting gait?

    The common fibular (peroneal) nerve. It causes loss of dorsiflexion and eversion, producing foot drop and a high-stepping (steppage) gait.

  2. Trace the main arterial supply of the lower limb from the pelvis to the foot.

    External iliac becomes femoral artery (at the inguinal ligament); the femoral becomes the popliteal artery (at the adductor hiatus); the popliteal divides into anterior and posterior tibial arteries; the anterior tibial continues as the dorsalis pedis on the dorsum of the foot.

  3. Name the longest vein in the body and its termination.

    The great (long) saphenous vein; it begins at the medial end of the dorsal venous arch of the foot and drains into the femoral vein at the saphenous opening.

  4. How many pairs of ribs are there, and how are they classified into true, false, and floating ribs?

    12 pairs. True ribs (1–7) attach directly to the sternum via their own costal cartilage; false ribs (8–10) attach indirectly via the cartilage above; floating ribs (11–12) have no anterior attachment.

  5. Name the three parts of the sternum.

    Manubrium, body (gladiolus), and xiphoid process.

  6. What is the principal muscle of respiration and its nerve supply?

    The diaphragm, supplied by the phrenic nerve (root value C3, C4, C5).

  7. Name the muscles found in a typical intercostal space and their general action.

    External intercostals (elevate ribs in inspiration), internal intercostals, and innermost intercostals (depress ribs in forced expiration); they also support the intercostal space.

  8. Name the three mediastinal divisions of the inferior mediastinum and a key structure of each.

    Anterior mediastinum (thymus), middle mediastinum (heart and pericardium), and posterior mediastinum (descending thoracic aorta, esophagus).

  9. Compare the lobar and bronchial pattern of the right versus left lung.

    Right lung has 3 lobes (upper, middle, lower) and a more vertical main bronchus (so foreign bodies lodge here more often); left lung has 2 lobes (upper with lingula, lower) and a cardiac notch.

  10. Which nerve supplies the heart's parasympathetic input and which provides general sensation/motor to thoracic structures via somatic supply?

    The vagus nerve (CN X) provides parasympathetic supply to the heart; the intercostal nerves (ventral rami of T1–T11) provide somatic motor and sensory supply to the thoracic wall.

  11. From which structure does the thoracic (descending) aorta arise and where does it become the abdominal aorta?

    It is the continuation of the arch of the aorta (from T4) and passes through the aortic hiatus of the diaphragm at the level of T12 to become the abdominal aorta.

  12. Name the muscles of the anterolateral abdominal wall from superficial to deep.

    External oblique, internal oblique, transversus abdominis (the three flat muscles), and the rectus abdominis (the vertical muscle within the rectus sheath).

  13. What is the inguinal ligament and which bony points does it span?

    It is the rolled-under inferior border of the external oblique aponeurosis, extending from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the pubic tubercle.

  14. State the four parts of the stomach.

    Cardia, fundus, body, and pyloric part (pyloric antrum and pyloric canal ending at the pylorus).

  15. Name the three parts of the small intestine in order and identify which is retroperitoneal.

    Duodenum, jejunum, ileum. The duodenum (except the first part/cap) is retroperitoneal; jejunum and ileum are intraperitoneal (mesentery-suspended).

  16. What are the three unpaired (midline) branches of the abdominal aorta supplying the gut, and the region each supplies?

    Celiac trunk (foregut), superior mesenteric artery (midgut), and inferior mesenteric artery (hindgut).

  17. Which large nerve plexus innervates the posterior abdominal wall and lower limb, and name two of its major branches.

    The lumbar plexus (L1–L4). Major branches include the femoral nerve and the obturator nerve (also iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, lateral femoral cutaneous).

  18. Name the parts of the bony pelvis junction and the line dividing the false (greater) from true (lesser) pelvis.

    The pelvic brim (linea terminalis), running along the sacral promontory, arcuate line, pectineal line, and pubic crest, separates the false (greater) pelvis above from the true (lesser) pelvis below.

  19. Which muscle forms the floor of the pelvis, and name its main parts.

    The levator ani (part of the pelvic diaphragm); its parts are the puborectalis, pubococcygeus, and iliococcygeus.

  20. Name the structures of the perineum's two triangles.

    Urogenital triangle (anterior) contains external genitalia and urogenital structures; anal triangle (posterior) contains the anal canal and ischioanal fossae.

  21. Which nerve is the main somatic nerve of the perineum and what is its root value?

    The pudendal nerve, root value S2, S3, S4 ('S2,3,4 keeps the floor off the door').

  22. From which artery does the chief blood supply to the pelvic organs arise, and name two of its branches.

    The internal iliac artery. Branches include the uterine, vaginal, middle rectal, inferior vesical/superior vesical, internal pudendal, and obturator arteries.

  23. Name the bones of the neurocranium that form the cranial vault (roof and sides).

    Frontal bone, two parietal bones, two temporal bones, occipital bone, sphenoid, and ethmoid.

  24. What are the muscles of mastication and their common nerve supply?

    Masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid, all supplied by the mandibular division (V3) of the trigeminal nerve.

  25. Which cranial nerve supplies the muscles of facial expression, and name two of those muscles.

    The facial nerve (CN VII). Muscles of facial expression include orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, buccinator, occipitofrontalis, and platysma.

  26. Trace the origin of the common carotid arteries on each side.

    The right common carotid arises from the brachiocephalic trunk; the left common carotid arises directly from the arch of the aorta. Each divides into internal and external carotid at the upper border of the thyroid cartilage (C3/C4).

  27. Name the largest endocrine gland in the neck and its functional product.

    The thyroid gland; it secretes thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) which regulate metabolism, and calcitonin from its parafollicular C cells.

  28. Name the two major divisions of the central nervous system and the protective membranes covering them.

    The brain and spinal cord. They are covered by three meninges: dura mater (outer), arachnoid mater (middle), and pia mater (inner).

  29. Distinguish the somatic from the autonomic division of the peripheral nervous system.

    The somatic nervous system provides voluntary motor control of skeletal muscle and conscious sensation; the autonomic nervous system provides involuntary control of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

  30. Compare the general effects of the sympathetic versus parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

    Sympathetic ('fight or flight'): increases heart rate, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion (thoracolumbar outflow T1–L2). Parasympathetic ('rest and digest'): slows heart rate, constricts pupils, stimulates digestion (craniosacral outflow).

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

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

  32. During embryonic development, name the three primary germ layers and one major derivative of each.

    Ectoderm (epidermis and nervous system), mesoderm (muscle, bone, blood, and connective tissue), and endoderm (lining of the gut tube and respiratory tract).

Same General Anatomy syllabus in other exams

The General Anatomy outline above is identical in these 3 exams:

NEET MDS General Anatomy FAQ

What is in the NEET MDS General Anatomy syllabus?

NEET MDS General Anatomy is split into 10 chapters: Introduction to Anatomy, Upper Limb, Lower Limb, Thorax, Abdomen, Pelvis and Perineum, Head and Neck, Neuroanatomy, Histology and Embryology. Together they contain 36 topics and 102 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in NEET MDS General Anatomy?

10 chapters, containing 36 topics and 102 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Thorax, with 5 topics.

Are there flashcards for NEET MDS General Anatomy?

Yes — a 52-card General Anatomy deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.