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

Ironically, the death roll is actually a compensation for the crocodile’s many anatomical limitations. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

But the new Shuvosauridae specimen appeared just slightly different, says Alan Turner, a professor of anatomical sciences at Stony Brook University and leader of the team that discovered the remains. —Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 26 May 2026

Beyond physical attributes Natural selection doesn’t only operate on anatomical or physical traits. —Owen D. Jones, The Conversation, 26 May 2026

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. —Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anatomical

• astronomical
• economical
• comical
• neuroanatomical
• uneconomical