musculature

American  

[muhs-kyuh-luh-cher, -choor] / ˈmʌs kyə lə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

1. the muscular system of the body or of its parts.

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musculature British  

/ ˈmʌskjʊlətʃə /

noun

1. the arrangement of muscles in an organ or part

2. the total muscular system of an organism

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Etymology

Origin of musculature

1870–75; musculat(ion) muscular system ( see muscle, -ation) + -ure

Explanation

Musculature is a system of muscles in a body. Your biceps and triceps are part of the musculature of your arm. Musculature is just an extra-fancy way for scientists to say "muscles." Zoologists might talk about the musculature of domesticated animals compared with wild animals, for example, and archaeologists may speculate about the musculature of ancient humans. The term includes not only the muscles themselves, but the way they work together in an organism. Musculature shares a root with muscle, the Latin musculus, which means both "a muscle" and "little mouse."

Example Sentences

The sight of Richard Parker, a growling behemoth of musculature and whiskers, is the most fearsome.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2025

Presumably there is nothing unique about Delap's musculature that prevents it from being taught to others, so why has it never been repeated?

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2025

Deep anesthesia and removal of neck musculature were required to expose the lymphatics in the mice.

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2024

With their spectacular hair, musculature and moves — their flying drop kicks, twisting arm locks and discus punches — the sons became local sensations.

From New York Times • Dec. 21, 2023

Christopher was conscious of his jeans—but largely it was Nighthand’s size and musculature which attracted looks from both men and women, and his strategy for moving through crowds.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell