Dorsal
adjective
Related to the back side or top of an animal, plant or object.
The dorsal fin of a shark is the one you see when it is near the surface of the water.
Often appears as...
- dorsal fin
- dorsal surface
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Talking about the upper side or back part of the human body, especially relating to or situated near the spine.
The dorsal area of the body includes the back and spine.
Often appears as...
- dorsal spine
- dorsal muscles
Usage tips
Technical
adjective
Related to the back side or top of an animal, plant or object.
The dorsal fin of a shark is the one you see when it is near the surface of the water.
Often appears as...
- dorsal fin
- dorsal surface
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Talking about the upper side or back part of the human body, especially relating to or situated near the spine.
The dorsal area of the body includes the back and spine.
Often appears as...
- dorsal spine
- dorsal muscles
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Animal Orientation
Remember 'dorsal' indicates the top side of marine animals, like the side you'd see from above.
Marine biologists track dolphins by their dorsal fins.
Pro Tip 2/3Plant Position
'Dorsal' describes the part facing away from the stem in plants, akin to a back.
The dorsal petals of an orchid are often very decorative.
Pro Tip 3/3Object Top Side
For non-living objects, 'dorsal' is sometimes used metaphorically to denote the 'back' or 'upper' side.
The dorsal side of the leaf was covered in a fine layer of dust.
Pro Tip 1/3Animal Orientation
Remember 'dorsal' indicates the top side of marine animals, like the side you'd see from above.
Marine biologists track dolphins by their dorsal fins.
Pro Tip 2/3Plant Position
'Dorsal' describes the part facing away from the stem in plants, akin to a back.
The dorsal petals of an orchid are often very decorative.
Pro Tip 3/3Object Top Side
For non-living objects, 'dorsal' is sometimes used metaphorically to denote the 'back' or 'upper' side.
The dorsal side of the leaf was covered in a fine layer of dust.
Pro Tip 1/3Animal Orientation
Remember 'dorsal' indicates the top side of marine animals, like the side you'd see from above.
Marine biologists track dolphins by their dorsal fins.
Pro Tip 2/3Plant Position
'Dorsal' describes the part facing away from the stem in plants, akin to a back.
The dorsal petals of an orchid are often very decorative.
Pro Tip 3/3Object Top Side
For non-living objects, 'dorsal' is sometimes used metaphorically to denote the 'back' or 'upper' side.
The dorsal side of the leaf was covered in a fine layer of dust.
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Video examples
Dolphins: Even Smarter...
They were playing with these leaves. One on its dorsal, tail and pectoral. And light levels were very low, so I, sort of, boosted the ISO and was able to make this picture of them playing catch. Well, one of the other things that I wanted to focus on with this story about how dolphins are smart was to look at feeding strategies.
Video examples
What we'll learn about...
who observed, in the dorsal prefrontal cortex, how in the brain of someone trying to understand an idea, how different populations of neurons would reorganize themselves -- you're looking at neural activity here in orange -- until finally their activity aligns in a way that leads to positive feedback.
Video examples
Killer whale society PIPE...
that the dominant males were leading the effort how little we knew and still fully understand about killer whales if you look closely you'll see the adult males they're the ones with the particularly tall dorsal fins largely maintained a peripheral role flanking
Video examples
Octopus Kills Shark PIPE...
you're about to see it too if you've got the courage to keep watching if only through your splayed fingers the octopus not in the habit of attacking sharks the shark sharp spines jutting out from its dorsal fins that can puncture anything
Video examples
Shark vs Octopus PIPE...
you're about to see it too if you've got the courage to keep watching if only through your splayed fingers the octopus not in the habit of attacking sharks the shark sharp spines jutting out from its dorsal fins that can puncture anything
Video examples
Axolotls: The...
Axolotls reach sexual maturity with gills and a tadpole-like dorsal fin. Scientists think their forever-young condition, called “neoteny,” evolved because of their stable habitat. For salamanders that develop in waters that dry up,
Video examples
The Planet Earth...
nearly a hundred selfish have surrounded a single school of baitfish it's very rare to see so many of these hunters in one place to herd their prey the Predators raise their huge dorsal fins
Video examples
Sharks 101 PIPE National...
Every year an estimated 100 million sharks are killed worldwide, in large part for the shark fin trade. The sharks are caught and their dorsal fins are removed and sold at a hefty price,
Video examples
Sailfish Are Master...
It's very rare to see so many of these hunters in one place. To herd their prey, the predators raise their huge dorsal fins.
Video examples
ONE HOUR Of Amazing...
hunters in one place to herd their prey the predators raised their huge dorsal fins
Video examples
Dolphins: Even Smarter...
They were playing with these leaves. One on its dorsal, tail and pectoral. And light levels were very low, so I, sort of, boosted the ISO and was able to make this picture of them playing catch. Well, one of the other things that I wanted to focus on with this story about how dolphins are smart was to look at feeding strategies.
Video examples
What we'll learn about...
who observed, in the dorsal prefrontal cortex, how in the brain of someone trying to understand an idea, how different populations of neurons would reorganize themselves -- you're looking at neural activity here in orange -- until finally their activity aligns in a way that leads to positive feedback.
Video examples
Killer whale society PIPE...
that the dominant males were leading the effort how little we knew and still fully understand about killer whales if you look closely you'll see the adult males they're the ones with the particularly tall dorsal fins largely maintained a peripheral role flanking
Video examples
Octopus Kills Shark PIPE...
you're about to see it too if you've got the courage to keep watching if only through your splayed fingers the octopus not in the habit of attacking sharks the shark sharp spines jutting out from its dorsal fins that can puncture anything
Video examples
Shark vs Octopus PIPE...
you're about to see it too if you've got the courage to keep watching if only through your splayed fingers the octopus not in the habit of attacking sharks the shark sharp spines jutting out from its dorsal fins that can puncture anything
Video examples
Axolotls: The...
Axolotls reach sexual maturity with gills and a tadpole-like dorsal fin. Scientists think their forever-young condition, called “neoteny,” evolved because of their stable habitat. For salamanders that develop in waters that dry up,
Video examples
The Planet Earth...
nearly a hundred selfish have surrounded a single school of baitfish it's very rare to see so many of these hunters in one place to herd their prey the Predators raise their huge dorsal fins
Video examples
Sharks 101 PIPE National...
Every year an estimated 100 million sharks are killed worldwide, in large part for the shark fin trade. The sharks are caught and their dorsal fins are removed and sold at a hefty price,
Video examples
Sailfish Are Master...
It's very rare to see so many of these hunters in one place. To herd their prey, the predators raise their huge dorsal fins.
Video examples
ONE HOUR Of Amazing...
hunters in one place to herd their prey the predators raised their huge dorsal fins
Example 1 of 10
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