dorsal

views updated Jun 11 2018

dor·sal / ˈdôrsəl/ • adj. Anat. , Zool. , & Bot. of, on, or relating to the upper side or back of an animal, plant, or organ: a dorsal view of the body the dorsal aorta. Compare with ventral.DERIVATIVES: dor·sal·ly adv.

dorsal

views updated Jun 08 2018

dorsal Describing the surface of a plant or animal that is farthest from the ground or other support, i.e. the upper surface. In vertebrates, the dorsal surface is that down which the backbone runs. Thus in upright (bipedal) mammals, such as humans and kangaroos, it is the backward-directed (posterior) surface. Compare ventral.

dorsal

views updated May 18 2018

dorsal Towards the upper surface of an organism or nearest to the back; in vertebrates nearest the spinal column. The opposite of ventral. In a plant, abaxial (i.e. facing away from the stem).

dorsal

views updated May 17 2018

dorsal XV. — (O)F. dorsal or late L. dorsālis, for L. dorsuālis, f. dorsum back; see -AL 1.

dorsal

views updated May 08 2018

dorsal Towards the upper surface of an organism (in vertebrates the side of the animal closest to the spine); the opposite of ventral.

dorsal

views updated May 14 2018

dorsal Nearest to the back; in vertebrates to the spinal column.

dorsal

views updated May 21 2018

dorsal (dor-săl) adj. relating to or situated at or close to the back of the body or to the posterior part of an organ.

dorsal

views updated May 23 2018

dorsal In a plant, abaxial (i.e. facing away from the stem).

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