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What is the difference between dorsal and posterior?

dorsal | posterior |

In anatomy terms the difference between dorsal and posterior

is that dorsal is relating to the top surface of the foot or hand while posterior is nearer the back end; nearer the caudal end of the body in quadrupeds or the dorsal end in bipeds.

In botany terms the difference between dorsal and posterior

is that dorsal is relating to the surface naturally superior, as of a creeping hepatic moss while posterior is next to, or facing the main stem or axis.

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

    * ----

    posterior

    English

    Alternative forms

    * posteriour (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Located behind, or towards the rear of an object.
  • Following in order or in time.
  • (anatomy) Nearer the back end; nearer the caudal end of the body in quadrupeds or the dorsal end in bipeds.
  • (botany) Next to, or facing the main stem or axis.
  • Synonyms

    * (located behind or towards the rear) rear, hinder, back * (Following in order or in time) later

    Antonyms

    * anterior

    Derived terms

    * posteriorly

    Coordinate terms

    * *

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (euphemistic) The buttocks.
  • Anagrams

    * ----