What does "dorsal" signify in terms of body orientation?

The term "dorsal" signifies the back side of an organism. In anatomical terminology, it refers specifically to the posterior part of the body in both humans and animals. This term is commonly used in various fields such as biology, medicine, and anatomy to describe locations or orientations.

For instance, in humans, the dorsal side is aligned with the spine and includes areas such as the back and the posterior aspects of limbs. In quadrupeds, "dorsal" refers to the upper side of the animal, especially the part facing away from the ground. Understanding these terms is crucial for accurately describing the anatomy and positions of structures within a body, which is why "dorsal" directly correlates with the anatomical context of being related to the back.