Definitions for: Dorsal


[adj] (biology) facing away from the axis of an organ or organism; "the abaxial surface of a leaf is the underside or side facing away from the stem"
[adj] belonging to or on or near the back or upper surface of an animal or organ or part; "the dorsal fin is the vertical fin on the back of a fish and certain marine mammals"



Webster (1913) Definition: Dor"sal, a. [F. dorsal, LL. dorsalis, fr. L. dorsualis,
fr. dorsum back; cf. Gr. ?, ?, mountain ridge. Cf. Dorse,
Dorsel, Dosel.]
1. (Anat.) Pertaining to, or situated near, the back, or
dorsum, of an animal or of one of its parts; notal;
tergal; neural; as, the dorsal fin of a fish; the dorsal
artery of the tongue; -- opposed to ventral.

2. (Bot.)
(a) Pertaining to the surface naturally inferior, as of a
leaf.
(b) Pertaining to the surface naturally superior, as of a
creeping hepatic moss.

Dorsal vessel (Zo["o]l.), a central pulsating blood vessel
along the back of insects, acting as a heart.


Dor"sal, n. [LL. dorsale, neut. fr. dorsalis. See
Dorsal, a.] (Fine Arts)
A hanging, usually of rich stuff, at the back of a throne, or
of an altar, or in any similar position.

Synonyms: abaxial

Antonyms: adaxial, ventral

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