Dorsal means located toward the back, away from the ventral (stomach) side; toward the back. The top of the brain is Dorsal in humans.
In the context of psychology, the term "dorsal" generally refers to the back or posterior region of the brain or nervous system. The dorsal region of the brain is responsible for processing sensory information, including touch, vision, and hearing. It is also involved in motor control, attention, and the regulation of emotion.
Here are some examples of how the term "dorsal" is used in psychology:
- The dorsal stream of visual processing is responsible for processing information about the spatial location of visual stimuli.
- In patients with damage to the dorsal prefrontal cortex, there may be deficits in working memory and attentional control.
- Activation of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex is associated with cognitive control and decision-making processes.
- The dorsal vagal complex is a group of nuclei in the brainstem that is involved in regulating autonomic functions, such as heart rate and digestion.
Overall, the term "dorsal" is used in psychology to refer to a specific region or pathway within the brain or nervous system that is associated with certain cognitive, emotional, or physiological processes.