anatomical
adjective
an·a·tom·i·cal
ˌa-nə-ˈtä-mi-kəl 
variants
or less commonly anatomic
: 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
Carol M. Lalli and Ronald W. GilmerMayberg has been mapping anatomical areas of the brain that are either hyperactive or inactive in depressed men and women.—Siddhartha Mukherjee
Siddhartha MukherjeeDiabetes 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.
George F. Cahill, Jr. et al.
anatomically
adverb
… in Africa and possibly in the Middle East, anatomically modern humans were evolving.
—Rick Gore
Rick Gore
Examples of anatomical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, the researchers proposed one possibility based on a unique anatomical feature of cats.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023
The different reproductive strategies gave dinosaurs some advantages over mammals.
Camarasaurus and other sauropods also got some assistance from their anatomical peculiarities.
—Riley Black, Popular Science, 9 Nov. 2023
Many works of hyperrealism call on old traditions of mimesis, among them anatomical wax models based on real carcasses, a technique dating to the 18th century.
—Joshua Glass, New York Times, 20 Oct. 2023
The fish’s skin wrapped tightly around the whole structure, though the scientists noted a clear anatomical distinction between the two.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2023
Body brokers are more controversial than university anatomical donation programs, but in both cases, remains are used for medical education or research.
—Tanya D. Marsh, The Conversation, 30 June 2023
Once the polish had dried, Boyce applied a handful of minuscule designs including snakes, spiders, moons, a heart made of thorns, upside-down crosses, and anatomical hearts — all very aligned to Fox's star-gazing, otherworldly, goth fairy princess aesthetic.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Oct. 2023
If one looks only at mechanical and anatomical explanations of pain, this surely is true.
—Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2023
Conversations with an 8-year-old are about correct anatomical terminology for body parts, understanding consent and respect for your own physical bodies, and normalizing that our bodies are changing throughout the course of our lives.
—Phyllis L. Fagell, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
See More
Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023
The different reproductive strategies gave dinosaurs some advantages over mammals.
Camarasaurus and other sauropods also got some assistance from their anatomical peculiarities.
—Riley Black, Popular Science, 9 Nov. 2023
Many works of hyperrealism call on old traditions of mimesis, among them anatomical wax models based on real carcasses, a technique dating to the 18th century.
—Joshua Glass, New York Times, 20 Oct. 2023
The fish’s skin wrapped tightly around the whole structure, though the scientists noted a clear anatomical distinction between the two.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2023
Body brokers are more controversial than university anatomical donation programs, but in both cases, remains are used for medical education or research.
—Tanya D. Marsh, The Conversation, 30 June 2023
Once the polish had dried, Boyce applied a handful of minuscule designs including snakes, spiders, moons, a heart made of thorns, upside-down crosses, and anatomical hearts — all very aligned to Fox's star-gazing, otherworldly, goth fairy princess aesthetic.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Oct. 2023
If one looks only at mechanical and anatomical explanations of pain, this surely is true.
—Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2023
Conversations with an 8-year-old are about correct anatomical terminology for body parts, understanding consent and respect for your own physical bodies, and normalizing that our bodies are changing throughout the course of our lives.
—Phyllis L. Fagell, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anatomical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1627, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near anatomical
Cite this Entry
“Anatomical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anatomical. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on anatomical
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for anatomical
Britannica English: Translation of anatomical for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share