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

Da Vincis helicopter

First helicopter design. Helicopter designed and drawn by the Italian inventor Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) in about 1500. This was the first helicopter designed to lift a person. The helical rotor was to be driven by the muscular power of the pilot. This meant that the helicopter would not have had enough power to take off. Leonardo devoted many years of research into studying flight and designing potential aircraft. Like many of his projects, the design was never published and the helicopter was never actually constructed. After Leonardo's death his notes lay unnoticed in a library until 1796. Successful helicopters were not developed until the 20th century

© 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