Pre-Clinical 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 Pre-Clinical, 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 Pre-Clinical

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

1. What is anatomy, and how does gross anatomy differ from histology?

   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; histology (microscopic anatomy) studies tissues and cells using a microscope.

2. Define the standard anatomical position.

   The body stands erect, facing forward, with feet together (or slightly apart) and flat on the floor, arms hanging at the sides, and palms facing forward (forearms supinated). All directional terms are described relative to this position.

3. Distinguish the sagittal, coronal (frontal), and transverse anatomical planes.

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

4. Define the directional terms proximal vs distal and superficial vs deep.

   Proximal = nearer to the trunk/point of origin of a limb; distal = farther from it. Superficial = nearer the surface; deep = farther from the surface.

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

   The pectoral girdle consists of the clavicle and scapula. The single long bone of the arm (brachium) is the humerus.

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

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

7. List the 8 carpal bones of the wrist in order (proximal then distal row, lateral to medial).

   Proximal row: scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform. Distal row: trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate.

8. How many metacarpals and phalanges are in one hand, and how are the phalanges distributed?

   There are 5 metacarpals and 14 phalanges. Each finger (digits 2-5) has 3 phalanges (proximal, middle, distal); the thumb (digit 1) has only 2 (proximal, distal).

9. Which muscles make up the rotator cuff, and what is its main function?

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

10. What are the actions of the biceps brachii and the triceps brachii?

    Biceps brachii flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm (and weakly flexes the shoulder). Triceps brachii extends the elbow.

11. Name the three muscles of the anterior (flexor) compartment of the arm.

    Biceps brachii, brachialis, and coracobrachialis.

12. Which muscle is the chief flexor of the elbow regardless of forearm position, and why?

    The brachialis, because it inserts on the ulnar tuberosity/coronoid process and acts on the ulna, so its flexing action is unaffected by pronation or supination.

13. From which spinal cord segments does the brachial plexus arise, and name its five roots.

    The brachial plexus arises from the anterior (ventral) rami of C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1.

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

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

15. Which nerve innervates the anterior compartment of the arm, and what deficit results from its injury?

    The musculocutaneous nerve. Injury causes weakness of elbow flexion and supination, plus loss of sensation over the lateral forearm.

16. What deficit results from radial nerve injury in the spiral groove of the humerus?

    Wrist drop (loss of wrist and finger extension) due to paralysis of the forearm extensors, and loss of sensation over the posterior forearm and dorsum of the hand.

17. Describe the classic deformity and sensory loss from median nerve injury at the wrist (carpal tunnel).

    Weakness/atrophy of the thenar muscles ('ape hand'), impaired thumb opposition, and sensory loss over the lateral (radial) 3.5 digits on the palmar side.

18. Describe the deformity of ulnar nerve injury at the elbow.

    'Claw hand' (ulnar claw) with hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal joints and flexion of the interphalangeal joints of the 4th and 5th digits, plus loss of sensation over the medial 1.5 digits and weak grip.

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

    Subclavian → axillary → brachial → divides at the elbow into radial and ulnar arteries → these form the superficial and deep palmar arches in the hand.

20. Which two superficial veins drain the upper limb, and where does each lie?

    The cephalic vein runs along the lateral (radial) side; the basilic vein runs along the medial (ulnar) side. They are connected at the elbow by the median cubital vein.

21. Which artery is palpated for the pulse at the wrist, and on which side?

    The radial artery, palpated on the lateral (thumb) side of the anterior wrist, lateral to the flexor carpi radialis tendon.

22. Name the bones of the pelvic girdle and the single bone of the thigh.

    The hip bone (os coxae) = fused ilium, ischium, and pubis. The thigh bone is the femur, the longest and strongest bone in the body.

23. Name the two bones of the leg and their relative positions.

    The tibia (medial, weight-bearing 'shin bone') and the fibula (lateral, non-weight-bearing).

24. Name the seven tarsal bones of the foot.

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

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