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Dorsal vs Anterior - What's the difference?

dorsal | anterior |

In anatomy|lang=en terms the difference between dorsal and anterior

is that dorsal is (anatomy) relating to the top surface of the foot or hand while anterior is (anatomy) nearer the forward end; nearer the head of an animal or the front of a human.

As adjectives the difference between dorsal and anterior

is that dorsal is (anatomy) with respect to, or concerning the side in which the backbone is located, or the analogous side of an invertebrate while anterior is before in place.

As a noun dorsal

is (art) a hanging, usually of rich stuff, at the back of a throne, altar, etc.

dorsal

English

Adjective

(-)
  • (anatomy) With respect to, or concerning the side in which the backbone is located, or the analogous side of an invertebrate.
  • (of a knife) Having only one sharp side.
  • (anatomy) Relating to the top surface of the foot or hand.
  • (linguistics, of a sound) Produced using the dorsum of the tongue.
  • (botany) Relating to the surface naturally inferior, as of a leaf.
  • (botany) Relating to the surface naturally superior, as of a creeping hepatic moss.
  • Antonyms

    * ventral

    Coordinate terms

    * * (linguistics) labial, coronal, radical, laryngeal

    Derived terms

    * dorsal fin * dorsally

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (art) A hanging, usually of rich stuff, at the back of a throne, altar, etc.
  • In snakes, any of the longitudinal series of plates that encircle the body, excluding the ventral scales.
  • Anagrams

    * ----

    anterior

    English

    Alternative forms

    * anteriour (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Before in place.
  • Before or earlier in time; prior to; preceding.
  • (anatomy) Nearer the forward end; nearer the head of an animal or the front of a human.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * (before in place) posterior * (anatomy) posterior

    Derived Terms

    * anteriorly

    Coordinate terms

    * *

    Anagrams

    * ----