'nonanatomical' originates from the English negative prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') combined with 'anatomical', which ultimately comes from Greek 'anatome' via Latin 'anatomia', where the Greek elements 'ana-' meant 'up' or 'through' and 'temnein' meant 'to cut'.

'anatomical' changed from Greek 'anatome' through Latin 'anatomia' and Medieval/Old French forms into Middle English 'anatomical'; 'nonanatomical' is a modern English formation created by prefixing 'non-' to the existing adjective 'anatomical'.

Initially, related terms meant 'to cut up' or 'dissection' (the literal act of cutting), then broadened to mean 'relating to the structure of organisms'; 'nonanatomical' developed to mean 'not relating to anatomical structure'.