Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

dorsal-surface

Noun

/ˈdɔːrsəl ˈsɜːrfɪs/

Definition

The dorsal surface refers to the back or upper side of an organism, particularly in animals and certain anatomical contexts.

Examples

The dorsal surface of a fish is typically darker than its belly, providing camouflage in the water.
In anatomy, the dorsal surface of the hand is where the knuckles are located.
The dorsal surface of the human foot is the top part, where the toes can be seen.

Meaning

In biological terms, ‘dorsal’ is used to describe the location of a structure towards the back of an animal. The dorsal surface is opposite to the ventral surface, which is the belly side.