dorsum

American  

[dawr-suhm] / ˈdɔr səm /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

dorsa

1. the back, as of the body.

2. the back or outer surface of an organ, part, etc.

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dorsum British  

/ ˈdɔːsəm /

noun

1. a technical name for the back 1

2. any analogous surface

   the dorsum of the hand

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Etymology

Origin of dorsum

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1775–85

Example Sentences

The dorsum nasi is the length of the nose.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Septal cartilage is flexible hyaline cartilage connected to the nasal bone, forming the dorsum nasi.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

In life the color of the dorsum varied from orange-yellow to orange-tan, usually being more orange on the tail.

From A Distributional Study of the Amphibians of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico by Duellman, William E.

In life the dorsum was dull brown; the chin was cream; the belly was yellow, and the underside of the tail was orange.

From Amphibians and Reptiles of the Rainforests of Southern El Peten, Guatemala by Duellman, William E.

In this position the outer margin of the wing is the costa, the inner the dorsum, and the hind-margin the termen.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various