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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.

Your health care provider may use this term to clearly explain the relationship between things found during a physical exam or on medical tests.

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.

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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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Anatomical landmarks adult - back - Illustration Thumbnail

Anatomical landmarks adult - back

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.

Illustration

Anatomical landmarks adult - front - Illustration Thumbnail

Anatomical landmarks adult - front

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.

Illustration

Medial orientation - Illustration Thumbnail

Medial orientation

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.

Illustration

 
 
Anatomical landmarks adult - back - Illustration Thumbnail

Anatomical landmarks adult - back

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.

Illustration

Anatomical landmarks adult - front - Illustration Thumbnail

Anatomical landmarks adult - front

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.

Illustration

Medial orientation - Illustration Thumbnail

Medial orientation

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.

Illustration

 
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