Which direction describes moving toward the front of the body from the midline?

• A. Posterior
• B. Anterior
• C. Inferior
• D. Lateral

Answer: (B)

Anterior describes moving toward the front of the body from the midline. The midline is the imaginary line that splits the body into left and right halves, so going toward the front means heading toward the belly side of the body. This direction is what you’d use to say the chest is anterior to the spine or the sternum is in front of the spine. It’s opposite to posterior (toward the back) and distinct from medial (toward the midline) and lateral (away from the midline), while superior and inferior describe vertical positioning (toward the head or toward the feet).