Which term describes the front of the body?

• A. posterior
• B. anterior
• C. lateral
• D. medial

Answer: (B)

Front of the body is described as anterior. In anatomy, describing locations uses standard terms, and anterior refers to the surface facing forward in the usual standing position. The standard anatomical position is to stand upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward, which makes anterior the term for the front. The opposite is posterior, which describes the back. Lateral means toward the sides away from the midline, and medial means toward the midline. So anterior is the best descriptor for the front.