Meaning & use
anatomical
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivenot comparablemedicaltechnical
Relating to the structure of the body and how its parts are arranged.
Grammar: Goes before a noun: anatomical diagram.
Patterns
- an anatomical study of something
The medical students studied an anatomical chart of the heart.
The museum displays an anatomical model of the human skeleton.
Anatomical differences between the two species are small.
adjectivenot comparablebiology
Relating to the physical structure of an animal or plant, not only of people.
Grammar: Used in biology contexts.
Patterns
- anatomical features
The biologist described the anatomical features of the beetle.
Anatomical studies of the fossil showed a hollow bone structure.
The plant's anatomical structure helps it store water.
adjectivebefore a noun
Shaped to match the natural form of the body, as with a seat or shoe.
Grammar: Used in product descriptions: an anatomical insole.
Patterns
- anatomical design
The shoes have an anatomical footbed that supports the arch.
She bought an anatomical office chair.
The glove has an anatomical shape for a better grip.
Common combinations
- anatomical model
- The teacher used an anatomical model to explain the lungs.
- anatomical diagram
- The anatomical diagram labeled every bone in the hand.
- anatomical structure
- The anatomical structure of the eye is complex.
- anatomical difference
- There is a slight anatomical difference between the two.
- anatomical position
- Doctors describe locations from the anatomical position.
Synonyms and how they differ
- structural
- Structural is a broader word for how any thing is built, while anatomical refers to the bodies of living things.
- physical
- Physical means of the body in contrast to the mind, and is less technical than anatomical.
- morphological
- Morphological is a scientific term for form and shape, often used in biology for external shape rather than internal parts.
- bodily
- Bodily is a plain word for relating to the body, with no scientific tone.
Opposites
Word family
- anatomy noun
- the study or structure of the body
- anatomically adverb
- in a way relating to body structure
- anatomist noun
- a scientist who studies anatomy
- anatomize verb
- to dissect or analyze in detail
Commonly confused: anatomical or physiological? anatomical or autonomic?
anatomical vs physiological
Physiological refers to how the body works, whereas anatomical refers to how it is built.
anatomical vs autonomic
Autonomic describes the nervous system's automatic functions, and only looks similar in spelling.
Practice
A diagram showing where each bone sits in the human hand is best called ____.
Choose one answer.
Anatomical relates to the structure of the body, which a labeled bone diagram shows. Astronomical, economical and autonomic are different words.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “anatomical”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.