Dextral meaning

Dextral means "pertaining to the right side" when referring to the physical or geological orientation.


Dextral definitions

Word backwards lartxed
Part of speech Adjective
Syllabic division dex-tral
Plural The plural of the word dextral is dextrals.
Total letters 7
Vogais (2) e,a
Consonants (5) d,x,t,r,l

Within the field of biology, the term dextral is used to describe an organism or structure that exhibits a right-handed orientation. This can refer to various aspects, such as the direction of growth or the positioning of parts.

Dextral organisms are those that coil or spiral in a right-handed direction. This can be observed in certain snail species, where the shell spirals clockwise when viewed from above. This characteristic is genetically determined and is commonly seen in a wide range of organisms.

Genetics and Development

The dextral orientation in organisms is often influenced by genetics and developmental processes. Specific genes can control the direction of growth or spiral patterning in an organism, leading to the formation of distinct features.

Evolutionary Significance

The prevalence of dextral characteristics in certain species can have evolutionary implications. For example, the direction of spiral coiling in shells can impact an organism's ability to defend itself against predators or efficiently extract resources from the environment.

Overall, the term dextral is an important concept in biology that helps researchers understand the intricate patterns and orientations found in nature. By studying these characteristics, scientists can gain valuable insights into the genetic, developmental, and evolutionary processes that shape living organisms.


Dextral Examples

  1. The dextral hand is typically more adept at fine motor skills.
  2. The spiral shell of the snail is typically dextral, coiling to the right.
  3. In some species of fish, the dextral side is more colorful than the sinistral side.
  4. The dextral movement of the clock hands indicated that it was time for lunch.
  5. The artist painted a dextral swirl of colors that captivated the viewers.
  6. The right-handed pitcher had a powerful dextral throw that earned him many strikeouts.
  7. The dextral rotation of the hurricane brought strong winds and heavy rain.
  8. The dancer's dextral turn was executed with grace and precision.
  9. The medical condition caused weakness in the patient's dextral muscles.
  10. The ancient scroll was written in a dextral script that was difficult to decipher.


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  • Updated 23/04/2024 - 02:15:28