Which term describes being farther from the midline than another structure?

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

The concept being tested is how anatomical terms describe position relative to the body's midline. The midline runs down the center of the body, dividing it into left and right halves. When a structure is farther from that midline than another structure, it is described as lateral. Medial means closer to the midline, while proximal and distal describe distance along a limb from the trunk (proximal: nearer to the trunk; distal: farther from the trunk). So, being farther from the midline is lateral. For example, the ears are lateral to the eyes, and the arms are lateral to the chest, whereas the nose is medial to the eyes.