Word
anatomical
Phoneticsanatom·i·cal
US/ˌænəˈtɑməkəɫ/
UK/ˌænɐtˈɒmɪkəl/
Definition
adj. relating to the physical structure of the body of a person, animal, or plant.
adj. relating to the bodily structure of organisms and the relationship between their internal parts.
Examples
“The doctor studied the anatomical structure of the heart.”
“The museum display features several anatomical models that show how muscles and bones work together during movement.”
“Advanced imaging technology allows surgeons to identify subtle anatomical variations that might complicate a procedure before they even enter the operating room.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor studied the anatomical structure of the heart.”
contextual
“The museum display features several anatomical models that show how muscles and bones work together during movement.”
complex
“Advanced imaging technology allows surgeons to identify subtle anatomical variations that might complicate a procedure before they even enter the operating room.”
Usage
Typically used as an attributive adjective preceding a noun; rarely used predicatively.
Real-World Examples
Common in science writing
“Take any feline and guess whether it can purr or roar (it cannot do both because purring and roaring require different anatomical structures).” “According to the website SaludonNet.com prices start from €85 for a test on an open MRI machine, while traditional (closed) MRIs usually cost between €140 and €280 when scanning a single anatomical area.” Etymology
From anatomic + -al, after -ical. By surface analysis, anatomy + -ical.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Collocations
Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/anatomical