Anatomy
noun /əˈnæt.ə.mi/ — The study of the structure of the human body.
Definition
The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms — especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts. More broadly, the internal structure or workings of any complex thing.
Beyond the definition
Anatomy is the science of looking inside — the willingness to see the body as structure, as mechanism, without losing the sense that the structure is also a self.
Origin & history
From Latin 'anatomia', from Greek 'anatomia' (dissection); from 'ana-' (up) + 'temnein' (to cut). To cut up thoroughly.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Gray's Anatomy, first published in 1858, remains in print — the language of the body so carefully rendered it survives every edition.
She had studied anatomy for three years before she understood that knowing where the heart is tells you very little about what the heart does.
The anatomy of a crisis: always the same structure, different contents.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Anatomy” when the meaning fits your context: The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms — especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts. More broadly, the internal structure or workings of any complex thing.
Synonyms
body structure, morphology
Related words
Anatomy vs physiology
Anatomy focuses on the physical structure and parts of the body. Physiology examines how those parts function and interact biologically.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Conceptual Structural View
A microscope view reveals simple cells, a neuron, and microbes alongside laboratory tools and pipettes.
The illustration presents the internal structural organization of cells, reflecting the broader scientific study of anatomy. It emphasizes the foundational building blocks and their physical interconnections that constitute a complex biological entity.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Anatomy" mean?
Anatomy is noun meaning: The study of the structure of the human body.. The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms — especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts. More broadly, the internal structure or workings of any complex thing.
Where does the word "Anatomy" come from?
From Latin 'anatomia', from Greek 'anatomia' (dissection); from 'ana-' (up) + 'temnein' (to cut). To cut up thoroughly.