Prepare for the Marieb Language of Anatomy Exam. Utilize multiple choice questions, flashcards, and explanations for each answer. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

What term is used for structures farther from the midline on the same side of the body?

Lateral describes being farther from the midline of the body. The midline splits the body into left and right sides, and structures that lie away from that line are considered lateral, while those closer to it are medial. Proximal and distal, by contrast, refer to how close or far a structure is to the trunk or point of attachment along a limb, not to left–right positioning. For example, the ear is lateral to the eye because it sits farther from the midline, whereas the eye is medial to the ear. Proximal versus distal would describe how the arm or leg is arranged along its length, such as the shoulder (proximal to the elbow) or the wrist (distal to the elbow).

Lateral describes being farther from the midline of the body. The midline splits the body into left and right sides, and structures that lie away from that line are considered lateral, while those closer to it are medial. Proximal and distal, by contrast, refer to how close or far a structure is to the trunk or point of attachment along a limb, not to left–right positioning. For example, the ear is lateral to the eye because it sits farther from the midline, whereas the eye is medial to the ear. Proximal versus distal would describe how the arm or leg is arranged along its length, such as the shoulder (proximal to the elbow) or the wrist (distal to the elbow).