Quain 19th Century Anatomical Illustration – "Abdominal Viscera” Plate 18

Anatomy Plate 18/RF077

Antique Medical Illustration 1844

Printed in London for Taylor & Walton, Booksellers and Publishers to the University of London

Circa. 1844

Plate 18. An elegant nineteenth-century anatomical lithograph from Jones Quain’s celebrated atlas depicting the abdominal viscera with the mesentery and principal arterial supply exposed. The superior and inferior mesenteric arteries are shown in red, branching through the mesentery to supply the small and large intestines.

Finely engraved and delicately shaded, the plate exemplifies the precision and artistry that made Quain’s anatomical works standard references for medical students and surgeons during the Victorian period.

Quain’s plates were intended to teach anatomy through exceptionally accurate lithographs based on careful dissections. Plate 18 is particularly admired because it clearly demonstrates the relationship between:

• the abdominal aorta,
• the mesenteric arteries,
• the mesentery,
• and the arrangement of the small and large intestines.

The plate was an important educational aid for surgeons, illustrating the vascular anatomy essential for abdominal operations long before modern imaging techniques.

Condition: This antique print is in good vintage condition, showing the expected signs of age consistent with a 19th‑century engraving. Light toning, minor edge wear, and small marks may be present, all typical for original plates of this period. These characteristics do not detract from the artwork and instead enhance its authenticity and historical charm. The image remains clear, detailed, and well‑preserved..

dimensions 49cm  x 31cm