How does biological morphology differ from anatomy?

In biology, morphology and anatomy are closely related fields that are often used synonymously in practice, as both are concerned with the study of biological structure.1

However, there are subtle distinctions in their focus:

• Morphology is the broader study of the size, shape, and structure of organisms and the relationships between their constituent parts. It encompasses biological form across a vast range of scales, from macroscopic features—such as the arrangement of limbs or leaves—down to the molecular level, including the structure of proteins and DNA. It is frequently used to understand how these forms develop, function, and evolve, making it a vital tool for taxonomy and classification.12
• Anatomy is considered a branch of morphology that specifically focuses on the structural makeup of organisms. It often emphasizes the detailed study of gross or microscopic structures, frequently involving dissection to examine the position, relations, and internal organization of parts.31

While morphologists may look at the evolutionary and functional significance of an organism's overall form, anatomists often concentrate on the precise structural details of those internal and external components.14