Which anatomical term means 'toward the midline of the body'?

The term that means 'toward the midline of the body' is 'medial.' In anatomical terminology, medial refers to a position that is closer to the center line of the body, which divides the body into left and right halves. This term is essential for accurately describing locations and movements within the human body, especially in a clinical or anatomical context.

For example, the nose is medial to the eyes, meaning the nose is closer to the center of the face than the eyes are. Understanding this term is crucial for healthcare professionals as it helps in pinpointing areas of interest or concern during examinations and discussions.

In contrast, lateral describes a position that is farther away from the midline, while distal and proximal refer to locations along limbs or structures, with distal indicating a position further from the trunk and proximal indicating a position closer to the trunk.