Dorsal

Dorsal: An anatomical direction that refers to the back or upper surface of the body. In human anatomy, this term is almost exclusively used in reference to the dorsum of the foot and hands (top surface), or in reference to the back of the central nervous system. For example, shoe laces may compress tissues on the dorsal surface of the foot.

The opposite of dorsal:

• Ventral (trunk), Plantar (foot), or Volar/Palmar (hand)

For more information on the anatomical directions, check out:

• Lesson 1: Anatomical Position and Anatomical Directions

Examples of dorsal used in reference to anatomy, exercise, and physical rehabilitation:

• Dorsal Nerve Root of the Spinal Cord: The spinal nerve roots that enter the back of the spinal cord and carry motor (afferent) information from the sensory nervous system. Note that the ventral nerve roots send information from the central nervous system out to the body.
• Dorsum of the Hand: The back (posterior) part of the hand.
• Dorsal Scapular Nerve: A nerve that supplies the rhomboid muscles and the levator scapulae muscle.
• Dorsal Glide: A technique used to mobilize joints, particularly in the wrist or fingers, by applying a force in the dorsal direction to increase the range of motion.