I. ˈven.trəl adjective
Etymology: French, from Latin ventralis, from ventr-, venter + -alis -al
1. : of or relating to the belly : abdominal ; usually : belonging to or situated near or on the anterior or lower surface of an animal or one of its parts that is opposite the back — opposed to dorsal
a ventral scale of a snake
the liver is somewhat ventral in position
the ventral aspect of the body
2.
a. : axial
b. : belonging to or located on the lower surface usually of a creeping dorsiventral structure (as a thallus)
II. noun
( -s )
: a ventral part (as a scale or plate) ; especially : ventral fin