What term is used to refer to the upper side of an animal's body?

The term that refers to the upper side of an animal's body is "dorsal." In anatomical terminology, the dorsal side corresponds to the back or upper surface of an animal, particularly when considering its orientation in relation to gravity. This term is crucial in veterinary science, biology, and livestock evaluation as it helps in describing the anatomy and assessing the structure or condition of an animal.

In contrast, other terms in the question refer to different anatomical orientations. For instance, "cranial" relates to positions towards the head, while "ventral" indicates the underside or belly of the animal, and "proximal" describes a position closer to the center of the body or point of attachment. Understanding these terms is essential for effectively communicating about animal anatomy and health assessments.