Meaning & use

dorsum

noun·Academic

Last updated

The back or upper surface of an organism, organ, or structure, especially in anatomy.

See it in a sentence

The dorsum of the hand is the side opposite the palm.

Marine biologists examined ridges running along the dorsum of the whale shark.

A note on using this word

From Latin "dorsum," meaning back; the same root produces related words like "dorsal" and "endorse," which literally meant to write on the back of a document.

Words with a similar meaning

backdorsal surface

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

venterunderside

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