Word parts
poster/o back, behind-ior relating to
What it means
A direction word meaning the back side. The spine is posterior to the heart; the calf is on the posterior side of the leg. It is the opposite of anterioran-TEER-ee-erAt or toward the front of the body.anter/o front-ior relating toFull entry . The posterior tibial pulse is felt behind the inner ankle bone.
For the nurse
Listen to lung sounds on the posterior chest as well as the front, since the lower lobes are best heard from the back.
At a glance
| Spanish | posterior |
|---|
Easy to confuse with
anterior
At or toward the front of the body.