ventral

1 of 2

adjective

ven·​tral ˈven-trəl 

1

a

: of or relating to the belly : abdominal

b

: being or located near or on the anterior or lower surface of an animal opposite the back

2

: being or located on the lower surface of a dorsiventral plant structure

ventrally

ˈven-trə-lē 

adverb

ventral

2 of 2

noun

: a ventral part (such as a scale or fin)

Examples of ventral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Interestingly, however, those neurons are completely separate from the ones which issue commands to the fish’s other three dorsal fins, located in the lower side of its ventral horn, called the ventrolateral zone. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Dec. 2024

The orcas appear to target their prey's vulnerable ventral side, focusing on the pelvic area where there is less muscle and cartilage. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

Noun

Ventral, because the V in ventral is an arrow pointing down. —Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 17 Oct. 2012

The dorsal is the back and the ventral is in the front. —Womensmedia, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Late Latin ventrālis, from Latin ventr-, venter "belly, abdomen" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at venter

First Known Use

Adjective

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ventral

• ventral root

Kids Definition

ventral

adjective

ven·​tral

ˈven-trəl

1

: of or relating to the belly : abdominal

2

: being or located on or near the surface of the body that in human beings is the front but in most other animals is the lower surface

a fish's ventral fins

ventrally

-trə-lē

adverb

Medical Definition

ventral

adjective

ven·​tral ˈven-trəl 

1

: of or relating to the belly : abdominal

2

a

: being or located near, on, or toward the lower surface of an animal (as a quadruped) opposite the back or dorsal surface

b

: being or located near, on, or toward the front or anterior part of the human body