Dorsal refers to something that is located on or pertaining to the back, particularly in reference to an animal's body. It can also describe a position or orientation towards the back or upper side of an object.
Usage examples
The dorsal fin of a dolphin helps it to maintain balance and stability while swimming.
When snorkeling, you can often spot the distinctive dorsal fin of a shark breaking the water's surface.
The hiker experienced torso pain, specifically on the dorsal side of their body, after carrying a heavy backpack for several hours.
The medical examiner identified the cause of death as a severe injury to the dorsal region of the victim's skull.
The skier lost control and landed on their back, resulting in a painful fracture to the dorsal vertebrae.
The artist meticulously painted the detailed scales and intricate dorsal pattern of a tropical fish in their vibrant watercolor artwork.
The veterinarian examined the horse's dorsal stripe, a distinct line of dark hair running along its back, as a distinguishing feature for identification.
The biologist studied the dorsal fin morphology of different whale species to better understand their behavior and migration patterns.
The surgeon made an incision on the dorsal side of the patient's hand to access and repair a fractured metacarpal bone.
The marine biologist observed a group of dolphins swimming in perfect synchronization, their dorsal fins cutting elegantly through the water.
The morning trip out of Telegraph Cove started with sunshine on everyone's faces and smiles appeared when they saw the two large dorsal fins of the A36 pod along with A12. (stubbs-island.com)
The following day, Henry was placed under general anesthesia and was positioned in dorsal recumbency in the MRI machine. (todaysveterinarynurse.com)
Recollection and familiarity - based memory judgments elicit activity in bilateral dorsal striatum. (cogneurosociety.org)