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

Research shows using animals such as frogs as dissection models in classrooms costs taxpayers millions of dollars per year, as opposed to a fraction of this amount for nonlethal anatomical model alternatives that serve exactly the same purpose. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026

The Hoka Solimar has EVA foam midsoles that are incredibly lightweight, durable, and compression-molded to mimic the anatomical contours of the underfoot. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026

Instead, outcomes depend on anatomical conditions, system selection, and clinical expertise, core principles that define modern dental implants for seniors treatment planning. —Malana Vantyler, jsonline.com, 20 Feb. 2026

There are few anatomical and nutritional differences between shrimp and prawns, too, meaning they are often used interchangeably on restaurant menus and in recipes. —Susan Hall Mahon, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anatomical

• astronomical
• economical
• comical
• neuroanatomical
• uneconomical