[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/dorsum/)

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# dorsum

noun (a dorsum, dorsa)

«dorsum» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (science, anatomy) The back or upper surface of a body part, like the back of the hand or the top of the foot or tongue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsum/#m1)
2. (science) The back of an animal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsum/#m2)

### In the lessons

Used in biology, medicine and anatomy diagrams; related to «dorsal» as in the dorsal fin of a shark; a pupil meets it mostly in science or in a doctor's notes; phrases: «dorsum of the hand», «dorsum of the foot».

### Examples

- The doctor looked at the dorsum of my hand. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsum/#x1)
- The dorsum of the foot is the top side. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsum/#x2)
- The fish has a spiny dorsum. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsum/#x3)
- Label the dorsum and the belly side on the diagram. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsum/#x4)
- The dorsum of the tongue helps us taste food. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsum/#x5)
- A frog has a green dorsum and a pale belly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsum/#x6)

### Note

Plural: dorsa (Latin). Technical word; everyday word: back. Related adjective: dorsal (e.g. dorsal fin). Opposite side: ventral.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «dorsum» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dorsum/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«dorsum» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/dorsum.html) on Mova free.