Which term describes the lower and abdominal surface of an animal?

The term that describes the lower and abdominal surface of an animal is "ventral." In anatomical terminology, the ventral side refers to the underside, which includes areas such as the belly. This is particularly relevant for many quadrupedal animals where the ventral surface is the part that is closest to the ground.

Understanding the directional terminology in animal anatomy is crucial for proper communication, especially in fields like veterinary medicine, biology, and animal science. For instance, "cranial" refers to structures that are closer to the head, while "dorsal" refers to the upper or back surface of an animal. "Caudal" pertains to the tail end of the animal. Each of these terms provides essential context for describing the location and orientation of various body parts in relation to one another.