VENTRAL

adaxial, ventral

(adjective) nearest to or facing toward the axis of an organ or organism; “the upper side of a leaf is known as the adaxial surface”

ventral

(adjective) toward or on or near the belly (front of a primate or lower surface of a lower animal); “the ventral aspect of the human body”; “the liver is somewhat ventral in position”; “ventral (or pelvic) fins correspond to the hind limbs of a quadruped”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

ventral (not comparable)

Related to the abdomen or stomach.

(anatomy) On the front side of the human body, or the corresponding surface of an animal, usually the lower surface.

(anatomy) On or relating to the bottom portion of either foot and/or hand.

Antonyms

• dorsal

Noun

ventral (plural ventrals)

Any of the enlarged and transversely elongated scales that extend down the underside of a snake's body from the neck to the anal scale.

Source: Wiktionary

Ven"tral, a. Etym: [L. ventralis, fr. venter the belly; perhaps akin to G. wanst: cf. F. ventral.]

1. (Anat.)

Definition: Of, pertaining to, or situated near, the belly, or ventral side, of an animal or of one of its parts; hemal; abdominal; as, the ventral fin of a fish; the ventral root of a spinal nerve; -- opposed to Ant: dorsal.

2. (Bot.) (a) Of or pertaining to that surface of a carpel, petal, etc., which faces toward the center of a flower. (b) Of or pertaining to the lower side or surface of a creeping moss or other low flowerless plant. Opposed to Ant: dorsal. Ventral fins (Zoöl.), the posterior pair of fins of a fish. They are often situated beneath the belly, but sometimes beneath the throat.

– Ventral segment. (Acoustics) See Loop, n., 5.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition