1. After, in relation to time or space. 2. [NA] In human anatomy, denoting the back surface of the body. Often used to indicate the position of one structure relative to another, i.e., nearer the back of the body. SYN: dorsal (2) [TA], dorsalis [TA], posticus. 3. Near the tail or caudal end of certain embryos. 4. An undesirable and confusing substitute for caudal in quadrupeds; in veterinary anatomy, p. is used only to denote some structures of the head. [L. comparative of posterus, following]
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a) situated at or toward the hind part of the body: CAUDAL
b) DORSAL used of human anatomy in which the upright posture makes dorsal and caudal identical
a) the rear end of a quadruped
b) BUTTOCKS
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adj.
situated at or near the back of the body or an organ. The posterior chamber of the eye is the rear section, behind the lens, which is filled with vitreous humour.
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pos·te·ri·or (pos-tērґe-ər) [L. “behindâ€; neut. posterius] 1. situated in back of, or in the back part of, a structure. 2. [TA] in humans and other bipeds, toward the back surface of the body; called also dorsal. 3. in quadruped anatomy, a term sometimes used as a synonym for caudal.Medical dictionary. 2011.