Medial / lateral

The terms [medial] and [lateral] are opposing anatomical relationship terms that indicate the location of a structure or structures in relation to the midline or median plane. The accompanying image depicts the median plane.

The term "midline" is a bit of a misnomer, as this is a plane and not a line, although if you look at the median plane from the anterior or posterior aspect of an individual in the anatomical position, you would have a line, ergo, midline! Look at this article on the anatomical position to see an explanation and image of this concept.

The term [medial] means "closer to the midline". An example of the use of this term is: "the head of the clavicle is medial to the shoulder joint", that is, the head of the clavicle is closer to the midline than the shoulder joint.

The term [lateral] means "further from the midline". An example of the use of this term is: "the wrist joint is lateral to the elbow joint", that is, the wrist joint is further away from the midline than the elbow joint.

Click on the image for a visual explanation of the concepts of "medial" and "lateral".

 

Images property of: CAA.Inc. Artist: Victoria G. Ratcliffe

Medial / Lateral
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