Glossary

ventral

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Of, on, or relating to the underside of an animal or plant; abdominal.

Related terms

adipose crest
Fatty ridge of flesh extending along the dorsal or ventral surface of the caudal peduncle in certain fishes, e.g., some Schistura spp.
basibranchial
Of, being, or relating to a median ventral cartilage or bony element located at the ventral point of a branchial arch, behind the tongue if the latter is present.
basibranchial teeth
Teeth on the median ventral plate (base of the tongue) overlying the basibranchial bones between the gill arches in some fishes.
branchiostegal membrane
The membrane, sometimes referred to as the gill membrane, connecting the branchiostegal rays and enclosing the ventral portion of the branchial cavity. Normally extended when the opercle of a fish is open, sealing the branchial cavity and creating a vacuum in the mouth, and also used during threat, courtship and other communicative behaviours in many species.
clavicle
Refers to the collar bone in human anatomy. Present in the pectoral girdle of some fishes as a paired, dermal bone ventral to or fused with the cleithrum.
dorsoventral
Positioned or orientated between the dorsal and ventral surfaces.
inferior mouth
Mouth located on the ventral surface of the head and oriented downwards.
keel
Ridgelike structure located on the ventral surface, caudal peduncle or caudal fin base in certain fishes.
postoral pouch
A transverse, hollow, pouch-like structure opening anteriorly and located on the ventral surface, immediately posterior to the mouth, in some members of certain balitorid genera, e.g., Gastromyzon, Neogastromyzon.
ventrolateral
Positioned or orientated between the ventral and lateral surfaces.
yolk sac
A membranous sac containing yolk attached to the ventral surface of embryos and early larvae in some fishes. Retained for a period post-hatching in those species which form yolk sac larvae.
yolk sac larva
Post-hatching larval stage occurring in many fish species whereby the yolk sac remains attached to the ventral surface for a period. The larva does not feed normally until the yolk is fully-absorbed.

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Used in 232 species profiles