Dorsum
/ˈdɔːr.səm/noun
The back or upper surface of something, especially in anatomy.
Did you know?Dorsum comes from Latin, and its deep root also gave us words like dorsal and adore, showing how one old root branched into anatomy and devotion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*der-
“to tear, split, or flay; the reconstructed root behind Latin words for skin and hide”
Latin
Latin
dorsum
“the back; the upper side or surface”
Medieval Latin
Latin
dorsalis
“pertaining to the back”
Middle English
English
dorsal
“of or relating to the back”
Modern English
English
dorsum
“the back or upper surface, especially in anatomy”