Pl. decubitus.
1. the act of lying down; the position assumed in lying down.
2. a decubitus ulcer.

• dorsal d. — lying on the back.
• lateral d. — lying on one side, designated right lateral decubitus when the subject lies on the right side and left lateral decubitus when it lies on the left side.
• d. ulcer — an ulcer due to local interference with the circulation; called also pressure sore. The ulcer usually occurs over a bony prominence such as that of the sacrum, hip, heel, shoulder or elbow. Excessive or prolonged pressure produced by the weight of the body or limb is the primary cause.

  Decubitus ulcer on the elbow of a dog. Bypermission from Slatter D, Textbook of Small Animal Surgery,Saunders, 2002

• ventral d. — lying on the stomach.

Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.