ventroanterior
|ven-tro-an-te-ri-or|
🇺🇸
/ˌvɛn.troʊ.ænˈtɪr.i.ər/
🇬🇧
/ˌven.trəʊ.ænˈtɪə.ri.ər/
front + belly side
Etymology
'ventroanterior' originates from New Latin/Modern anatomical formation, specifically combining the element 'ventro-' from Latin 'venter' meaning 'belly' and 'anterior' from Latin 'ante' meaning 'before (in front)'.
'ventroanterior' was formed in modern anatomical English as a compound of 'ventral' (from Latin 'venter') and 'anterior' (from Latin 'ante'), adopted via Medieval/Modern Latin and established in anatomical terminology.
Initially it denoted the combined idea of 'belly-side and front' and has retained this specific anatomical meaning in current usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
situated toward both the front (anterior) and the belly/underside (ventral) of an organism or structure; front-and-belly side.
The ventroanterior nucleus of the thalamus is involved in motor control.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/05 19:41