dorsoposterior
|dor-so-pos-te-ri-or|
🇺🇸
/ˌdɔrsoʊpəˈstɪriər/
🇬🇧
/ˌdɔːsəʊpəˈstɪərɪə/
toward the back and rear
Etymology
'dorsoposterior' originates from Latin, specifically the elements 'dorsum' (meaning 'back') giving the prefix 'dorso-' and 'posterior' (meaning 'coming after; behind').
'dorsoposterior' is a modern anatomical compound formed by combining the prefix 'dorso-' (from Latin 'dorsum') with the adjective 'posterior' (from Latin 'posterus'); it arose in anatomical/biological English usage rather than through a single older English word evolution.
Initially the components meant 'back' ('dorsum') and 'after/behind' ('posterior'); combined as 'dorsoposterior' the meaning has remained a direct positional description: 'toward the back and rear'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
in anatomy: situated toward or relating to both the back (dorsal) and the rear (posterior) of an organism or structure.
The dorsoposterior surface of the insect's thorax bears several bristles used for sensing.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/05 20:03