dorsal
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.
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dorsal
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.
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dorsal
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).
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dorsal
dorsal XV. — (O)F. dorsal or late L. dorsālis, for L. dorsuālis, f. dorsum back; see -AL 1.
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dorsal
dorsal Towards the upper surface of an organism (in vertebrates the side of the animal closest to the spine); the opposite of ventral.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY "dorsal ." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. . Encyclopedia.com. 27 Mar. 2025 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>.
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dorsal
dorsal Nearest to the back; in vertebrates to the spinal column.
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dorsal
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.
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dorsal
dorsal In a plant, abaxial (i.e. facing away from the stem).
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