Word parts
What it means
A direction word used in anatomy and charting. The chest is anterior to the spine; the knee cap is on the anterior side of the knee. It is the opposite of posteriorpos-TEER-ee-erAt or toward the back of the body.poster/o back, behind-ior relating toFull entry . Directions assume the body is in anatomical position: standing, facing forward, palms forward.
For the nurse
Use it to describe exact locations in charting, such as "anterior chest" or "anterior lower leg."
Remember it
Anterior has "ant" for the front of the line.
At a glance
| Spanish | anterior |
|---|
Easy to confuse with
posterior
At or toward the back of the body.
Related terms
distal
Farther from the center of the body or from where a part attaches.
peripheral
At or toward the outer parts of the body, away from the center, such as the arms, legs, hands and feet.
posterior
At or toward the back of the body.
lateral
Toward the side of the body, away from the middle line.