ventral
UK: ˈvɛntrəl | US: ˈvɛntrəl
adj. relating to or situated on the underside or belly of an animal or structure
adj. (botany) positioned toward or attached to the lower surface of a plant organ
Derived from Latin venter (belly, abdomen), ventral entered English via scientific Latin ventralis in the 18th century. The root ventr- consistently denotes anatomical undersides across biological terms (e.g., ventricle for heart chambers, originally "little belly"). The suffix -al standardizes it as an adjective, mirroring Latin -alis. This pairing reflects classical Latin's precision in anatomical terminology, preserved in modern scientific vocabulary.
The shark's ventral fins provide stability during swimming.
In frogs, the ventral skin is typically lighter than the dorsal side.
Botanists observed ventral root growth in the experimental plants.
The ultrasound revealed a mass on the ventral wall of the abdomen.
Insects often display vibrant colors on their ventral surfaces as warning signals.