Which term means toward the front of the body?

• A. Posterior or dorsal
• B. Anterior or ventral
• C. Medial
• D. Superior

Answer: (B)

Toward the front of the body is described by the term anterior, also known as ventral. Anterior refers to the surface or direction facing forward—toward the face and chest. In humans, ventral is often used interchangeably with anterior. This is in contrast to posterior (dorsal), which points to the back; medial, which is toward the midline of the body; and superior, which is toward the head or upper part. For example, the sternum is on the anterior surface of the chest, while the spine is on the posterior surface. This distinction makes anterior (ventral) the correct way to describe something facing forward.