The topographic term used to describe parts closer toward the midline is which?

• A. Lateral
• B. Medial
• C. Midclavicular
• D. Midaxillary

Answer: (B)

Medial describes structures that are closer to the midline of the body, the imaginary vertical plane that splits left and right halves. So, something closer to that center line is medial. For example, the nose is medial to the eyes because it sits nearer to the midline. Lateral means toward the sides, away from that midline. The other terms reference specific reference lines: midclavicular is a line through the midpoint of the clavicle, and midaxillary is a line down from the midpoint of the axilla. Those are useful for locating positions, but they don’t define closeness to the midline the way medial does.