Which term describes a body part positioned toward the midline of the body?

Which term describes a body part positioned toward the midline of the body?

• A. Lateral
• B. Icteric
• C. Medial
• D. Pancreatitis

Answer: (C)

Medial describes a body part that is toward the midline of the body. The midline is an imaginary line splitting the body into left and right halves. A structure closer to that line is medial, while structures farther from it are lateral. So, describing something as medial correctly means it is toward the midline. For contrast, lateral means toward the side away from the midline, icteric refers to jaundice (yellowing of tissues), and pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas—none of those describe position relative to the midline. For example, the medial canthus is closer to the nose than the lateral canthus, which is farther from the midline.

Medial describes a body part that is toward the midline of the body. The midline is an imaginary line splitting the body into left and right halves. A structure closer to that line is medial, while structures farther from it are lateral. So, describing something as medial correctly means it is toward the midline. For contrast, lateral means toward the side away from the midline, icteric refers to jaundice (yellowing of tissues), and pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas—none of those describe position relative to the midline. For example, the medial canthus is closer to the nose than the lateral canthus, which is farther from the midline.