| Studies of the Fetus in the Womb | |
|---|---|
The fetus in the womb The female external genitalia and five views of the fetus in the womb | |
| Artist | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Year | c. 1511 |
| Type | Black chalk, sanguine, pen, ink wash on paper |
| Location | Royal Collection, United Kingdom |
Studies of the Fetus in the Womb are two coloured annotated sketches by Leonardo da Vinci made in around 1511.[1] The studies correctly depict the human fetus in its proper position inside a dissected uterus.[2] Leonardo depicted the uterus with one chamber, in contrast to theories that the uterus had multiple chambers which many believed divided fetuses into separate compartments in the case of twins.[2] Leonardo also correctly drew the uterine artery and the vascular system of the cervix and vagina.[2]
- ^ "Recto: The fetus in the womb". Royal Collection.
- ^ a b c Hilary Gilson. "Leonardo da Vinci's Embryological Drawings of the Fetus". The Embryo Project Encyclopedia. Retrieved 6 August 2015.