What does the term ventral refer to in anatomy?

In anatomy, the term "ventral" refers to the front or anterior part of the body. This is particularly relevant when discussing the orientation and position of various body structures. For instance, in humans and many other organisms that are bilaterally symmetrical, the ventral side is where the belly or abdominal area is located.

This term is commonly used in contrast with "dorsal," which refers to the back or posterior part. Understanding these directional terms is crucial in fields like medicine and biology, as they provide a clear way to describe the locations of organs, muscles, and other anatomical features relative to one another.