@journalofanatomy.bsky.social - Journal of Anatomy

09 Sep 2026 15:56 +0000

Congratulations on this great paper! A really nice example of comparative anatomy, geometric morphometrics and machine learning revealing new insights into dinosaur dental morphology [contains quote post or other embedded content]

09 Sep 2026 15:54 +0000

Congratulations to the authors on this excellent new contribution to our understanding of proboscidean biomechanics! 🐘 [contains quote post or other embedded content]

09 Sep 2026 15:51 +0000

🚨 New issue alert! 🚨 Birds that use the tail for courtship display have unusually shaped and proportionally heavier tail muscles than birds that don't exhibit these displays, highlighting how courtship behaviours shape the structure and function of muscles in these animals https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70089

19 Aug 2026 09:13 +0000

New research in Journal of Anatomy maps the development of chicken abdominal musculature. Authors follow somites 24–28, revealing the origin of fibres. Muscle fibres appear to mix across segments, but never fuse, giving a glimpse into how complex abdominal muscles take shape https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fjoa.70113

06 Aug 2026 15:37 +0000

This month's cover explores the direct comparison of brains and endocasts in the same 75 individuals, showing that sulcal imprints are short and discontinuous. A new class of endocranial marks are identified, proposing a new standard for interpreting fossil endocasts https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70101

03 Aug 2026 14:44 +0000

Enamel histology may provide insights into dental growth & life history traits, but its study in fossils is challenging due to increments identification. This standardized methodological framework helps identify enamel increments correctly, step by step @manonhullot.bsky.social @cr2p.bsky.social

22 Jul 2026 14:32 +0000

The intervertebral disc has a fat pad structure. This Intervertebral Fat Pad (IVFP) is newly described in this paper from @iatridislab.bsky.social that shows its existence in multiple species and suggesting a function role in disc health and degeneration. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70092

10 Jul 2026 11:01 +0000

Pluchot et al describe the six-layered structure of the sheep auditory cortex, noting the likely location of the primary auditory cortex. They show that its organization is similar to that of other mammals, supporting the use of ovine models for auditory processing studies https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70072

29 Jun 2026 13:55 +0000

New cadaveric evidence supports the tubarial gland as a distinct anatomical structure, with histological validation and the first published description of a macroscopic excretory duct. The findings strengthen the anatomical evidence for a discrete gland in this location. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70074

15 Jun 2026 16:01 +0000

Despite variations in muscular attachments, the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia consistently contained collagen bundles oriented in an inferolateral direction from the lumbar spine to the iliac crest, independent of the orientation of the muscular aponeuroses. https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fjoa.70078

05 Jun 2026 13:08 +0000

Showcasing the first issue of Volume 249 with work from Suchánek et al. Bichir pectoral fins carry unique "dental plates" (dermal elements bearing tooth-like odontodes) that continuously replace themselves, much like oral teeth, creating a fascinating link between scales, teeth, and locomotion.

12 May 2026 14:36 +0000

@johnnyakatura.bsky.social et al., investigate the scaling of internal joint distance (IJD), a surrogate measure for cartilage thickness, across small- to medium-sized mammals. Elbow position had no significant effect on IJD and used these data to model the range of motion (ROM) at the elbow joint

12 May 2026 14:23 +0000

Our new special issue explores how joints shaped vertebrate evolution through biomechanics, development, anatomy and palaeontology, revealing joints as dynamic interfaces where structure, function and history converge. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14697580/2026/248/6

22 Apr 2026 14:53 +0000

🚨 We’re Hiring! 🚨 Journal of Anatomy is looking for a new Editor-in-Chief to join one of the world’s most respected platforms in anatomical science. Passionate about advancing scholarly research in the anatomical sciences? Visit the link - tinyurl.com/znwubuu2

21 Apr 2026 14:39 +0000

This month Campbell et al. study the electroreceptor ribbon synapses in sturgeon lateral line organs. They found that these synapses in non-teleost ray-finned bony fish are glutamatergic, suggesting further commonalities, but also some differences, with hair cell ribbon synapses tinyurl.com/36f8vax2

14 Apr 2026 12:28 +0000

Another from the Special Issue - @drjzp.bsky.social and colleagues showcase a new methodology for gaining accurate dimensions of soft tissues during #dissection. Many methods overlook the laxity of soft tissue when describing dimensions and use a 'point-to-point- approach.

30 Mar 2026 14:04 +0000

Also in this special issue, Tomlinson et al., tested whether calcaneal heel spurs strengthen the plantar fascia’s attachment to the heel. Avulsion frequency did not seem linked to the presence of spurs, suggesting they are unlikely to play a meaningful biomechanical function https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70090

23 Mar 2026 16:36 +0000

This month’s issue of Journal of Anatomy is a standout special edition dedicated to the fibrous framework. We are celebrating the pioneering work of Professor Mike Benjamin, whose research transformed our understanding of connective tissue biology, particularly the part it plays in the enthesis.

13 Mar 2026 14:46 +0000

Fresh Friday - Rhynchosaur dentition preserves plesiomorphic amniote tissues, challenging the idea of a “bone of attachment,” suggesting heterochronic shifts in mineralization helped drive gomphosis evolution across multiple amniote clades, including mammals, dinosaurs, and crocodylians

09 Mar 2026 15:05 +0000

Cranial sutures are overlooked aspects of the mammal skull. Comparing postnatal trajectories in suture shape retrieves plateauing adult complexity for midline sutures. Despite distinct developmental strategies, marsupial and placental suture disparity were found to overlap. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70035

25 Feb 2026 09:01 +0000

Now available! A new method paper by Rzepliński et al., utilises radiopaque contrast injected into peripheral nerves for subsequent CT scanning. The method produced excellent models of nerves leaving the specimens ready for further analysis: https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70033

17 Feb 2026 09:48 +0000

Our new issue! 🦇✨features a cover image from Carter's latest study. Tubercles on the bat pinna reduce drag before stall and increase lift after stall by generating streamwise vortices. These natural surface features likely improve aerodynamic efficiency. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14697580/2026/248/3

03 Feb 2026 12:06 +0000

Also this month, Šulcová et al., studied how teeth attach to jaws across vertebrates. In veiled chameleons, firmly ankylosed teeth formed via a transient cell type at the tooth–bone interface showing both osteoblast- and odontoblast-like features. The authors call these theorised cells ankyloblasts

13 Jan 2026 10:55 +0000

Also this month, Manson and @nathanj.bsky.social used finite element modelling informed by neonatal MRI data, to test whether simple mechanical deformation from brain and masticatory muscle growth can predict early cranial shape change, focusing on the basicranium and face https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14211

12 Jan 2026 16:36 +0000

📢 We’re now on LinkedIn! You can now find the Journal of Anatomy on LinkedIn, as well as here and all the usual places. We’ll continue showcasing the latest research in Development, Evolution and Function, so come find us here 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/journalofanatomy/

08 Jan 2026 13:17 +0000

We welcome 2026 with a focus on Dynamic Anatomy. This cover image from Crompton et al., features the pelvis of StW 572, an example of A. prometheus Their new analysis shows human-like pelvic traits and supports multiple modes of bipedalism in early hominins #Paleoanthropology #evolution

23 Dec 2025 19:01 +0000

Seasons Greetings from all at Journal of Anatomy - watch this space in 2026 for plenty of exciting new findings from the world of anatomical research. We hope you have a peaceful and fulfilling festive period!

25 Nov 2025 16:00 +0000

Predicting head injury in infants is complicated by large anatomical variability. This study analyzed skull thickness at 12,000+ locations in 266 infants (<12 mo) to identify age/sex-specific anatomical standards based on patterns of skull thickness distribution. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14287