ventral

adjective

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ven·tral | \ ˈven-trəl

Definition of ventral

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : of or relating to the belly : abdominal

b : being or located near or on the anterior or lower surface of an animal opposite the back

2 : being or located on the lower surface of a dorsiventral plant structure

ventral

noun

Definition of ventral (Entry 2 of 2)

: a ventral part (such as a scale or fin)

Other Words from ventral Example Sentences Phrases Containing ventral Learn More About ventral

Examples of ventral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The researchers found that, when presented with photos of their exes, participants had increased activity in the ventral tegmental area of the brain, which plays a significant role in pleasure and joy. — Suzy Katz, SELF, 12 May 2022 The region—called the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC)—may produce a fundamental model of our self and place it in mental time. — Robert Martone, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2021 The dorsal section plays a role in distinguishing self from other and appears to be task related, whereas the ventral section, the vmPFC, contributes more to emotional processing. — Robert Martone, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2021 By 2012, neuroscientists were using deep neural networks to model the primate ventral visual stream. — Quanta Magazine, 15 Nov. 2021 In one study, for instance, MRIs show an area of the brain (ventral striatum), that tracks reward satisfaction, is significantly more activated in adolescents than either in children or adults. — Gerald Posner, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2021 And in 2015, the singer underwent surgery for a ventral hernia. — Diana García, The Arizona Republic, 14 Aug. 2021 In Sarah's case, the circuit ran from her amygdala, an area known to control fear and other strong emotions, to her ventral striatum, which is involved in decision-making. — Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2021 And in 2015, the singer underwent surgery for a ventral hernia. — Diana García, The Arizona Republic, 14 Aug. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The dorsal is the back and the ventral is in the front. — Womensmedia, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 This mental effort pays off: As the hippocampus activates, so too does the ventral striatum, another of the brain’s dopaminergic reward centers. — Popular Science, 8 Apr. 2020 Earlier studies had shown that specific nerve pathways leading to a structure known as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) were important for the aversive nature of the foot shock. — Robert Martone, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2019 Return as of 5/13/17 is 68 hatchery adult, 2 natural origin, 12 Cowlitz origin (ventral clipped), and 0 Lewis origin. — Mark Yuasa, The Seattle Times, 17 May 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ventral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About ventral

Dictionary Entries Near ventral

ventrad

ventral

ventral canal cell

Statistics for ventral

Last Updated

22 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Ventral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventral. Accessed 27 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for ventral

ventral

adjective

ven·tral | \ ˈven-trəl

Kids Definition of ventral

: of, relating to, or being on or near the surface of the body that in human beings is the front but in most animals is the lower surface a fish's ventral fins

ventral

adjective

ven·tral | \ ˈven-trəl