Drawing Gallery

Skull anatomy by Leonardo da Vinci

Skull anatomy by Leonardo da Vinci. Historical artwork and notes on the anatomy of the human skull and teeth, by the Italian artist and scientist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). This bisected skull shows the external structure (right), and dissected facial sinuses (left), the air-filled spaces inside the bones of the face. The diagram at lower left shows the teeth present in one half of the mouth: 4 incisors, 2 canines, 4 pre-molars, and 6 molars. Da Vinci was the first anatomist known to have correctly noted the number and root structure of human teeth. The notes are an example of his mirror writing, which was written backwards from right to left, and could be read in a mirror

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Heart

Heart. Historical anatomical artwork of the human heart, seen from the front. Coronary blood vessels are seen on the surface of the heart, supplying this muscular organ with oxygen so it can pump blood around the body. Blood vessels with deoxygenated blood are blue, while those with oxygenated blood are red. The blood vessels across top are (from left): the vena cava (blue), the aortic arch (red), and the pulmonary artery (blue). The pulmonary vein (not clearly seen) is to the right and behind the pulmonary artery. Veins bring blood to the heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart. The pulmonary blood vessels carry blood between the heart and lungs. Artwork from Atlas of Anatomy, by Bourgery and Jacob, published in France in 8 volumes from 1831 to 1854

© MEHAU KULYK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Tawny owl, historical artwork

Tawny owl. Historical artwork of a tawny owl (Strix aluco). This is a nocturnal predator that inhabits forests and sparse woodland across much of Eurasia. It hunts at night, and finds its prey by sound. It feeds mainly on small mammals such as mice and voles, although it also takes smaller birds, frogs, fish and insects. By day it sleeps, camouflaged against branches or in a tree hole. It may reach a length of up to 40 centimetres. It has two calls: a harsh "ke-wick" and the "hoo-hoo" that is often but incorrectly assumed to be produced by all owls. This artwork was drawn by Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935)

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY