Word parts
What it means
Describes something that happens on or affects both the right and left sides, such as bilateral leg swelling, bilateral breath sounds or a bilateral knee replacement. The opposite is unilateral, one side only. Findings are often compared side to side to see whether they are equal.
In a chart
"Lung sounds clear bilaterally; 2+ pitting edema bilateral ankles."
At a glance
| Spanish | bilateral |
|---|---|
| Also written | bilaterally |
Related terms
superficial
Near or on the surface of the body or of a structure.
bi-
A word beginning that means two or twice.
medial
Toward the middle line of the body.