What is the term for the underside of the tongue?

The underside of the tongue is referred to as the ventral surface. In anatomical terms, "ventral" denotes the front or underside of an organism, while "dorsal" refers to the back or upper side. Thus, when identifying specific surfaces of the tongue, the ventral aspect includes structures such as the frenulum, which helps anchor the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Understanding these anatomical terms is important in dental nursing as it aids in effective communication regarding oral examinations, treatments, and procedures. Positions like anterior and posterior describe directionality along the body but do not specifically refer to the surface of the tongue. Therefore, ventral is the precise term indicating the underside of the tongue.