anatomical structure

biological structure

Material anatomical entity that is a single connected structure with inherent 3D shape generated by coordinated expression of the organism's own genome.

種類 Organ
親構造 material anatomical entity
ラテン語名 biological structure
FMA ID 305751

よくある質問

What defines an anatomical structure?
An anatomical structure is a material, physical entity — a single, connected biological object with an inherent three-dimensional shape that is generated by the coordinated expression of an organism's own genome during development. This definition distinguishes anatomical structures from, say, spaces (cavities), processes (physiological events), or external objects. The 'inherent 3D shape' criterion emphasizes that the form arises from developmental programming rather than external forces.
What types of entities count as anatomical structures?
Anatomical structures encompass a broad hierarchy: from macroscopic organs (heart, liver, lung) and organ systems (nervous system, musculoskeletal system), down through tissues (cartilage, bone, epithelium), cells (neurons, hepatocytes), and even subcellular organelles (nucleus, mitochondria). Each level represents a discrete, connected entity with a characteristic shape arising from genomic expression — all qualify as anatomical structures under standard biological ontology definitions.
How is 'anatomical structure' used in biological ontologies?
In formal biological ontologies such as the Foundational Model of Anatomy (FMA) and UBERON, 'anatomical structure' serves as a top-level class that organizes all physical body parts in a hierarchical, machine-readable knowledge representation. These ontologies support biomedical databases, electronic health records, and research data integration by providing standardized, species-neutral terms for body part concepts across taxa.

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This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.