Dorsum

Dorsum is a term used in anatomy to refer to the back or uppermost surface of a part or organ in the body. It is often used to describe the back of the hand or foot, but can also refer to the back of the tongue, nose, penis, and other parts of the body.

Anatomy

In anatomy, the dorsum is the uppermost or posterior part of an organ. It is opposite to the ventral, or front, part of the body. The term is used in several contexts:

• Dorsum of foot: The top part of the foot, from the toes to the ankle. It contains several important structures, including the extensor tendons of the toes and the dorsal venous arch.
• Dorsum of hand: The back of the hand, from the fingers to the wrist. It is the location of the extensor tendons of the fingers and the dorsal venous network.
• Dorsum of tongue: The upper surface of the tongue, which is covered with taste buds and is responsible for the sense of taste.
• Dorsum of nose: The ridge of the nose, from the root (between the eyes) to the tip (nares). It is made up of bone and cartilage and gives the nose its shape.
• Dorsum of penis: The upper surface of the penis, which contains the urethra and is covered by the foreskin in uncircumcised males.

Clinical significance

The dorsum of various body parts can be affected by different medical conditions. For example, the dorsum of the foot can be affected by ganglion cysts, tendonitis, and fractures. The dorsum of the hand can be affected by carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren's contracture, and rheumatoid arthritis. The dorsum of the tongue can be affected by oral thrush, geographic tongue, and oral cancer. The dorsum of the nose can be affected by rhinophyma, nasal polyps, and deviated septum. The dorsum of the penis can be affected by phimosis, paraphimosis, and penile cancer.

See also

• Ventral
• Anatomy
• Human body