The word 解剖 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a distinct visual and conceptual action to create a unified meaning. The first character, 解, depicts a knife (刀) separating the horns from an ox, conveying the idea of disassembling or taking apart. The second character, 剖, also prominently features a knife (刂) on the right, paired with a component (咅) that suggests splitting open or exposing the inside. When placed together, the characters reinforce and specify each other, creating a powerful composite image of methodically cutting open and separating the components of a body, whether literal or figurative, to examine its internal structure, hence meaning "to dissect" or "an anatomy".