Dorsum (biology)

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In anatomy, the dorsum is the upper side of animals that typically run, fly or swim in a horizontal position, and the back side of animals (like humans) that walk upright. In vertebrates the dorsum contains the backbone. The term dorsal refers to anatomical structures that are either situated toward or grow off that side of an animal. The opposite side of the animal is described with the terms ventrum and ventral.

Examples of anatomical terms that include "dorsal" are the dorsal fin of fish, dorsal root ganglion, dorsal root, dorsal nerve, dorsum sellae, dorsal arch, dorsalis pedis arteries, dorsal ramus, dorsal scales of snakes, dorsal respiratory group, dorsal venous arch, and dorsiflexion among others.

In lepidoptera, the dorsum also refers to the trailing edge of the wing (the leading edge is called the costa).