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

Anika Reed Naomi Osaka gave a wink to the body with her look, a sultry and sparkling red dress with anatomical features carved out in crystals. —Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026

This pair is built with thoughtful details, like a narrower heel, a roomier toe box, and an anatomical insole that cradles your foot. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2026

The feather story came through the train, which gave the anatomical dress its biggest gesture from behind. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 May 2026

Along with reforming the anatomical board, the commission will consider approving five universities restarting their anatomical specimen imports and exports. —Dug Begley, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anatomical

• astronomical
• economical
• comical
• neuroanatomical
• uneconomical