Medial
Medial means toward the middle or center. It is the opposite of lateral. The term is used to describe general positions of body parts. For example, the chest is medial to the arm.
Lateral
Lateral means to the side of, or away from, the middle of the body. Examples:The ears are lateral to the nose. The arms are lateral to the chest....
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleYour health care provider may use this term to clearly explain the relationship between things found during a physical exam or on medical tests.
References
Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. The body. In: Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM, eds. Gray's Atlas of Anatomy. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 1.
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Medial. www.merriam-webster.com/medical. Accessed July 18, 2022.
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Anatomical landmarks adult – back - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult – back
illustration
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Anatomical landmarks adult - front - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult - front
illustration
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Medial orientation - illustration
Medial orientation refers to a position toward the middle or center. For example, the big toe is medial to the second toe on the same foot.
Medial orientation
illustration
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Anatomical landmarks adult – back - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult – back
illustration
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Anatomical landmarks adult - front - illustration
There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area. The labels show areas of the body which are identified either by anatomical or by common names. For example, the back of the knee is called the “popliteal fossa,” while the “flank” is an area on the side of the body.
Anatomical landmarks adult - front
illustration
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Medial orientation - illustration
Medial orientation refers to a position toward the middle or center. For example, the big toe is medial to the second toe on the same foot.
Medial orientation
illustration
Review Date: 7/25/2022
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.