What do posterior, medial, proximal, peripheral, and superficial mean?

1 Answer
Nov 22, 2017

See below.

Explanation:

Posterior refers to the part of the body facing downward (the bottom side) in a standard anatomical position. (The opposite is anterior.)

Medial refers to anything toward the center of the body. (The opposite is lateral.)

Proximal refers to a point closer to a reference point. (The opposite is distal.)

Peripheral refers to anything away from the center and perceiving the outer edges of things. (The opposite is central.)

Superficial refers to structures closer to the exterior of the body. (The opposite is deep.)

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