dorsum

[dawr-suh m] /ˈdɔr səm/
noun, plural dorsa
[dawr-suh] /ˈdɔr sə/ (Show IPA). Anatomy, Zoology
1.
the back, as of the body.
2.
the back or outer surface of an organ, part, etc.
Origin
1775-85; < Latin
Examples from the web for dorsum
  • They are thickly distributed over the anterior two-thirds of its dorsum, giving to this surface its characteristic roughness.
  • dorsum of eighth abdominal segment with unpaired hump.
British Dictionary definitions for dorsum

dorsum

/ˈdɔːsəm/
noun (anatomy) (pl) -sa (-sə)
1.
a technical name for the back1
2.
any analogous surface: the dorsum of the hand
Word Origin
C18: from Latin, literally: back
dorsum in Medicine

dorsum dor·sum (dôr'səm)
n. pl. dor·sa (-sə)

  1. The back.

  2. The upper, outer surface of an organ, an appendage, or a part.