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superficial

Near or on the surface of the body or of a structure.

soo-per-FISH-ul adjective

Word parts

What it means

A direction word meaning closer to the surface; the opposite is deep. The skin is superficial to the muscles. A superficial burn or wound affects only the outer skin, and a superficial vein lies just under the skin. In everyday English it also means shallow.

At a glance

Spanishsuperficial
Also writtensuperficially

Related terms

bilateral

Having to do with both sides of the body.

inferior

Lower, or below; nearer the feet.

medial

Toward the middle line of the body.

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