Monro Primus' textbook on the anatomy of the bones was originally published in 1726 as an octavo volume without plates, and went through more than ten editions. The French translation, published in large folio, translated and edited by Jean Joseph Sue, was the most sumptuous edition ever published. Sue's deluxe folio edition of Monro was illustrated with 62 plates by various engravers, of which 31 were outline plates. Remarkably Roberts & Tomlinson, The Fabric of the Body pp. 438-55 suggest that the translation of this work may have been done by Marie-Geneviève-Charlotte Thiroux d'Arconville (1720-1805), who also may have supervised the production of the illustrations. If so, this is probably the first published anatomical work produced by a woman; it is not hard to understand how such a work needed to be issued under a man's name at the time. D'Arconville had studied anatomy at the Jardin du Roi.

Scottish army surgeon John Monro (1670-1740) initiated a series of events that lead to the establishment of a dynasty which, beginning with his son Alexander Monro, changed the course of medical teaching and learning. Three men (father, son and grandson), each called Alexander Monro (Primus, Secundus and Tertius), consecutively held the Chair of Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh for 126 years. The Medical Library of the University of Otago houses the Monro Collection of books and manuscripts, used and written by the Monros during their careers as students, and later, professors at the University of Edinburgh.