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1st Year MBBS Anatomy - Complete Syllabus Overview

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Hour Distribution (Total: 717 hours)

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The 7 Major Divisions of Anatomy Syllabus

1. General Anatomy

• Anatomical Terminology - anatomical position, planes (sagittal, coronal, transverse), axes, terms of relationship (medial/lateral, anterior/posterior, superior/inferior, proximal/distal, superficial/deep)
• Osteology (Bones) - types of bones, bone marrow, ossification, blood supply of bone, sesamoid bones
• Arthrology (Joints) - fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints; movements, bursae
• Myology (Muscles) - types, origin, insertion, nerve supply, actions, muscle tone
• Angiology (Blood Vessels) - arteries, veins, capillaries, lymphatics; anastomoses, collateral circulation
• Neurology (Nerves) - neuron structure, peripheral nerves, dermatomes, myotomes; plexuses
• General Histology - epithelium, connective tissue, muscle tissue, nervous tissue
• General Embryology - fertilization, cleavage, implantation, germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm)

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2. Regional / Gross Anatomy (Dissection-based)

Paper I Topics:

• Pectoral region, mammary gland
• Axilla: boundaries, contents, brachial plexus, axillary vessels
• Arm, cubital fossa, forearm, carpal tunnel, hand
• Muscles: rotator cuff, flexors/extensors, thenar/hypothenar
• Nerves: radial, ulnar, median, musculocutaneous, axillary
• Arteries: brachial, radial, ulnar, palmar arches
• Joints: shoulder, elbow, wrist, small joints of hand
• Bones: clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, carpals

• Scalp, face (muscles of facial expression), parotid gland, 7th and 8th cranial nerves
• Posterior triangle, anterior triangle, cervical fascia
• Thyroid and parathyroid glands
• Temporal and infratemporal regions, temporomandibular joint
• Pterygopalatine fossa, submandibular region, prevertebral region, root of neck
• Lymph nodes, blood vessels of neck (carotid arteries, jugular veins)
• Last four cranial nerves (IX, X, XI, XII) and sympathetic trunk
• Oral cavity and tongue, pharynx, tonsil, palate
• Nasal cavity, larynx, ear, eyeball, orbit
• Cranial cavity, meninges
• Bones: skull, mandible, cervical vertebrae, hyoid

• Introduction, subdivisions of nervous system, meninges
• Spinal cord: external features, internal structure, tracts
• Ascending and descending pathways
• Brain: cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem (midbrain, pons, medulla)
• Cranial nerves (all 12) - origin, course, distribution, applied anatomy
• Basal ganglia, thalamus, hypothalamus
• Ventricular system, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation
• Autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic)
• Blood supply of brain and spinal cord

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Paper II Topics:

• Thoracic wall, intercostal spaces, intercostal muscles and nerves
• Diaphragm - parts, openings, nerve supply, applied anatomy
• Pleura - parts, reflections, recesses
• Lungs - lobes, fissures, hila, bronchopulmonary segments, blood supply
• Pericardium - layers, sinuses, nerve supply
• Heart - chambers, valves, conducting system (SA node, AV node, Bundle of His), coronary circulation
• Mediastinum - divisions, superior, anterior, middle, posterior contents
• Aorta, superior/inferior vena cava, thoracic duct
• Trachea, bronchi, oesophagus, thoracic sympathetic chain, vagus nerves
• Bones: ribs (typical and atypical), sternum, thoracic vertebrae

• Anterior abdominal wall, rectus sheath, inguinal canal and hernia
• Peritoneum: divisions, reflections, lesser sac, mesenteries
• Stomach, duodenum, small and large intestines, mesenteric vessels
• Liver, extrahepatic biliary apparatus (bile ducts, gallbladder), portal vein
• Pancreas, spleen, coeliac trunk, splenic vessels
• Kidney, ureter, suprarenal gland, posterior abdominal wall
• Male genital organs: testis, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate
• Female genital organs: ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, vagina
• Urinary bladder, rectum, anal canal, ischio-anal fossa
• Perineum: superficial and deep perineal pouches
• Blood vessels and nerves of the pelvis
• Bones: lumbar vertebrae, sacrum, male and female pelvis (with sex differences)

• Gluteal region, thigh (anterior/medial/posterior compartments)
• Femoral triangle, adductor canal
• Popliteal fossa, leg (anterior/posterior/lateral compartments)
• Foot - dorsum, sole, plantar fascia, arches
• Nerves: femoral, obturator, sciatic, tibial, common fibular (peroneal), sural
• Arteries: femoral, popliteal, anterior/posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis, plantar arch
• Joints: hip joint, knee joint (most important and most questioned), ankle joint, foot joints
• Bones: femur, tibia, fibula, patella, tarsals, metatarsals

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3. Histology (Microscopic Anatomy)

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4. Embryology (Developmental Anatomy)

• Gametogenesis - oogenesis and spermatogenesis
• Fertilization and early development (cleavage, morula, blastocyst)
• Implantation and placentation
• Formation of bilaminar and trilaminar germ disc
• Derivatives of the three germ layers
• Fetal membranes and placenta
• Teratology - causes of congenital abnormalities

• Development of heart and great vessels (most asked in exams)
• Development of lungs, gut, liver, pancreas
• Development of kidneys, gonads, and genital ducts
• Development of the brain and spinal cord (neural tube defects)
• Development of face, palate, tongue (cleft lip/palate)
• Development of limb buds
• Development of body wall and diaphragm
• Common congenital anomalies for each system

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5. Radiological Anatomy

• Identify normal anatomical structures on plain X-rays (chest PA, abdomen, hand, pelvis)
• Interpret CT scan cross-sections and correlate with cadaveric sections
• Understand MRI appearances of major regions
• Recognize common emergency X-ray findings
• Surface anatomy projections of major organs and vessels

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6. Surface and Living Anatomy

• Surface marking of major arteries, veins, nerves, and organs
• Clinical sites for procedures: IM injection (deltoid, gluteus), IV access, lumbar puncture, pleural/pericardial/peritoneal taps, bone marrow biopsy
• Palpable bony landmarks
• Neurovascular examination basics

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7. Bioethics in Anatomy (AETCOM)

• Proper handling of cadavers - respect, dignity, consent of donors
• Professional conduct in the dissection hall
• Understanding body donation programs
• AETCOM Module 1.4 and 1.5 (integrated SAQ in exam)

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Exam Pattern (Theory)

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Recommended Standard Textbooks

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Key Tips for 1st Year Anatomy Students

1. Dissection hall is non-negotiable - active dissection builds spatial understanding that no book can replace. 245 hours are allocated for a reason.
2. Neuroanatomy and embryology are where most students lose marks - start them early, don't leave them for last.
3. The knee joint and brachial plexus are the two most commonly asked topics across all Indian university exams.
4. Link histology to gross structure - understand why the wall of the aorta is elastic, or why the stomach has rugae.
5. Applied anatomy questions (clinical correlations) are compulsory in every exam - always note why a fracture or nerve injury produces a particular deformity.