ventral

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adjective ven·tral \ˈven-trəl\

Definition of ventral

1a : of or relating to the belly : abdominalb : 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

ventrally

play \-trə-lē\ adverb

See ventral defined for kids

Recent Examples of ventral from the Web

The coins had collected in a heavy ball that cracked the turtle’s ventral shell, leading to an acute infection.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "The Sea Turtle That Ate 915 Coins Has Died", 21 Mar. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of ventral

borrowed from Late Latin ventrālis, from Latin ventr-, venter “belly, abdomen” + -ālis ¹-al — more at venter

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First Known Use: 1739

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

ventral

noun ven·tral

Definition of ventral

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

Recent Examples of ventral from the Web

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, "Plenty of choices to catch fish in Columbia River region", 17 May 2017

First Known Use of ventral

1834

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic

VENTRAL Defined for Kids

ventral

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adjective ven·tral \ˈven-trəl\

Definition of ventral for Students

: 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

Medical Dictionary

ventral

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adjective ven·tral \ˈven-trəl\

Medical Definition of ventral

1: of or relating to the belly : abdominal
2a: being or located near, on, or toward the lower surface of an animal (as a quadruped) opposite the back or dorsal surfaceb: being or located near, on, or toward the front or anterior part of the human body