extra-anatomic
|ex-tra-an-a-tom-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌɛkstrəˌænəˈtɑmɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌɛkstrəˌænəˈtɒmɪk/
outside the anatomy
Etymology
'extra-anatomic' originates from the Latin prefix 'extra' (specifically Latin 'extra') meaning 'outside' combined with Greek-derived 'anatomic' (from Greek 'anatomē' via Latin/Modern formation 'anatomicus'), where 'anatome' related to 'dissection' or the structure of the body.
'anatomic' passed into English from Medieval/Modern Latin 'anatomicus' (from Greek 'anatomē' + -ikos), and the English prefix 'extra-' (from Latin 'extra') combined with it in modern medical English to form the compound 'extra-anatomic'.
Initially elements referred to 'outside' (extra) and 'dissection/structure' (anatomē); over time the compound came to mean specifically 'located outside the usual anatomical site or route' in clinical and surgical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
situated or occurring outside the normal anatomical structures or usual anatomical position; outside the body structure where the organ or device would typically be located (medical usage, e.g., extra-anatomic bypass).
The surgeon performed an extra-anatomic bypass to reroute blood flow around the damaged vessel.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/06 22:58