The two valves of brachiopods are quite different. The pedicle valve bears all (or most) of the pedicle opening; it is the lower (therefore ventral) of the two valves. The brachial valve contains supports for the lophophores; it is the upper (therefore dorsal) of the two valves. The anterior of the brachiopod is the part opposite of the beak and hinge line; whereas the beak and hinge area are posterior. It should be noted that terms such as dorsal, ventral, anterior and posterior are in reference to soft-body parts and may not reflect the living position of the animal. The width of the brachiopod shell is measured as the maximum dimension parallel to the hinge line; whereas the length of the shell is measured normal to the width (from the beak to commissure).