ventral

[ ven-truhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the venter or belly; abdominal.
2. Anatomy, Zoology. situated on or toward the lower, abdominal plane of the body; equivalent to the front, or anterior, in humans. Compare dorsal ¹( def 2 ).
3. Botany, Mycology. of or designating the lower or inner surface of a structure.

ventral

/ ˈvɛntrəl /

adjective

1. See dorsal
   relating to the front part of the body; towards the belly Compare dorsal
2. of, relating to, or situated on the upper or inner side of a plant organ, esp a leaf, that is facing the axis

ventral

/ vĕn′trəl /

1. Relating to or on the front or lower surface of an animal.

Derived Forms

• ˈventrally, adverb

Other Words From

• ventral·ly adverb
• inter·ventral adjective
• post·ventral adjective
• pre·ventral adjective
• sub·ventral adjective
• sub·ventral·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventral¹

1730–40; < Latin ventrālis, equivalent to vent ( e ) r venter + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventral¹

C18: from Latin ventrālis, from venter abdomen

Example Sentences

Certain nerve cells residing in a part of the mouse brain called the ventral tegmental area can pump out dopamine, a molecule that has been linked to pleasure, movement and learning, among other things.

From Science News

The neuroscientists realized that stimulation to her right hemisphere, by the ventral striatum and the amygdala, might drastically improve Sarah’s symptoms.

From Popular-Science

They also established that a small burst of electricity to another region of her brain, called the ventral striatum, significantly improved these symptoms.

From MIT Technology Review

If the ventral striatum isn’t functioning correctly, it may contribute to depression.

From Science News For Students

The type of baculum in Spermophilus is spoonshaped with a ventral process that is spinelike or keellike.

From Project Gutenberg

In having a keel on the ventral surface of the tip, the baculum of Tamias is comparable to that of Spermophilus.

From Project Gutenberg

The book-lungs openings are found on the ventral surface of the first abdominal segment, as is also the epigynum.

From Project Gutenberg

This body has deep pits both on the dorsal and ventral sides near the base.

From Project Gutenberg

In the ventral cord no small fibrils were seen only rather small fibers which may have been fibrils.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• intestinal
• visceral