pertaining to, or situated near, the back, or dorsum, of an animal or of one of its parts; notal; tergal; neural; as, the dorsal fin of a fish; the dorsal artery of the tongue; -- opposed to ventral.-pertaining to the surface naturally inferior, as of a leaf.-pertaining to the surface naturally superior, as of a creeping hepatic moss.-a hanging, usually of rich stuff, at the back of a throne, or of an altar, or in any similar position.