ETYM French dorsal, Late Lat. dorsalis, from Latin dorsualis, from dorsum back; cf. Greek, mountain ridge. Related to Dorse, Dorsel, Dosel.
Belonging to or on or near the back or upper surface of an animal or organ or part.
In vertebrates, the surface of the animal closest to the backbone. For most vertebrates and invertebrates this is the upper surface, or the surface furthest from the ground. For bipedal primates such as humans, where the dorsal surface faces backward, then the word is “back”.
Not all animals can be said to have a dorsal surface, just as many animals cannot be said to have a front; for example jellyfish, anemones, and sponges.
Pertaining to, on or at the back.

A dorsally located part; especially; a thoracic vertebra.