An anterior term refers to which direction or region?

• A. Front
• B. Back
• C. Top
• D. Bottom

Answer: (A)

Anterior refers to the front part of the body or toward the ventral surface. In humans, this means the direction toward the face or belly side. So the term points to the front, not the back, top, or bottom. The opposite is posterior, which means toward the back. Other directional terms describe vertical positions—superior (toward the head or top) and inferior (toward the feet or bottom)—and aren’t the same as anterior. For example, the sternum is anterior to the heart. In short, anterior = front.