anatomical

adjective

an·​a·​tom·​i·​cal ˌa-nə-ˈtä-mi-kəl 

variants or less commonly anatomic

ˌa-nə-ˈtä-mik 

: of or relating to anatomy or the body structure of organisms

anatomical studies/structures/mechanisms

The mollusks are divided according to common anatomical traits into seven classes …

—Carol M. Lalli and Ronald W. Gilmer

Mayberg has been mapping anatomical areas of the brain that are either hyperactive or inactive in depressed men and women.

—Siddhartha Mukherjee

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by a broad array of physiologic and anatomic abnormalities, but its most notable feature is disturbed glucose metabolism, which results in inappropriate hyperglycemia.

—George F. Cahill, Jr. et al.

anatomically

ˌa-nə-ˈtä-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

… in Africa and possibly in the Middle East, anatomically modern humans were evolving.

—Rick Gore

Examples of anatomical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Both had prominent, sail-like structures on their backs, and both had the anatomical hallmarks of a bizarre group of reptiles called drepanosaurs. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025

Stephen Colbert had a succinct message to President Trump, one that involved an anatomical impossibility. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 22 July 2025

The anatomical reference triggered a board investigation in coordination with the university’s Office of Ethics and Compliance. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 July 2025

The duo leaned into G-Star’s signature anatomical design principles and exaggerated them with a cool wash and moto stitching and seam details. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 8 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anatomical

• astronomical
• economical
• comical
• neuroanatomical
• uneconomical