Final answer:
Leonardo da Vinci's impact on scientific knowledge, particularly in human anatomy, was not fully recognized until the late nineteenth century when some 600 of his detailed anatomical drawings were found in Britain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leonardo da Vinci's contributions to science were largely unacknowledged during his lifetime, with his exhaustive studies of human anatomy hidden from the wider public. His pursuits in this field involved detailed dissections and sketches that reflected his profound interest in how the body and brain functioned. Despite conducting these dissections covertly, often on stolen corpses, Leonardo managed to produce a significant number of anatomical drawings.
It was not until a bound volume of some 600 of Leonardo's anatomical drawings was discovered in Britain in the late nineteenth century that his pivotal role in the advancement of medical and anatomical knowledge was properly recognized. These drawings showcase his meticulous attention to detail and illustrate his vast understanding of human anatomy, including depictions of a fetus in the womb. Leonardo's insatiable curiosity and relentless investigation left a legacy that forever changed the trajectory of human knowledge and science.