dorsolateral
|dor-so-lat-er-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌdɔrsoʊˈlætərəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌdɔːsəʊˈlæt(ə)rəl/
back + side
Etymology
'dorsolateral' originates from Latin, specifically the words 'dorsum' and 'latus', where 'dors-' meant 'back' and 'lat-' meant 'side'.
'dorsal' came into English via Medieval Latin 'dorsalis' and 'lateral' comes from Latin 'lateralis'; the compound 'dorsolateral' was formed in Modern English scientific usage to describe anatomical position.
Initially it meant 'pertaining to the back and the side', and this meaning has been retained in modern anatomical usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
situated on or relating to both the back (dorsal) and the side (lateral) of a body or structure; located toward the back and the side.
The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is involved in working memory and executive functions.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/09 10:58