Veterinary Anatomy Practice Test

Palmar and plantar describe the surfaces of the limbs that contact the ground—palmar for the front limb’s underside (palm) and plantar for the hind limb’s underside (sole). The surface opposite these is the dorsal surface, which is the top or back of the limb. In a standing animal, dorsal faces upward or toward the back, while ventral faces toward the belly. So the term that describes the side opposite palmar/plantar is dorsal.