What does the term "ventral" refer to in human anatomy?

The term "ventral" specifically refers to the front or belly side of the body in human anatomy. It originates from the Latin word "venter," meaning belly. In anatomical orientation, "ventral" is used to describe structures that are located towards the anterior part of the body, which in humans, typically translates to the front direction. This contrasts with "dorsal," which refers to the back side. Understanding this terminology is crucial in fields such as medicine and biology, as it establishes a clear and standardized way to describe the locations and relationships of various anatomical structures.