Dorsum

The back or posterior side of a structure.

'Dorsum' is the Latin word for the back.

Something pertaining to the dorsum is dorsal.</P> The dorsal surface of the hand is the back of the hand, the side opposite the palm.</P> The dorsal surface of the foot is the back of the foot, the side opposite the sole.</P> The dorsal vertebrae are the thoracic vertebrae; they form part of the back.</P> The dorsal roots of the spinal nerves are the back roots, the posterior roots.</P> The opposite of dorsum is ventrum which comes from the Latin 'venter' meaning belly.

Something that is ventral is oriented toward the belly, toward the front of the body.