Which term describes the front part of the body or surface facing forward?

• A. Anterior
• B. Posterior
• C. Superior
• D. Inferior

Answer: (A)

The front-facing term is anterior. It describes structures toward the front of the body or toward the ventral surface. In the standard anatomical position, the body stands upright with the face forward, so anterior points to the part of the body that faces forward. This is distinct from posterior, which is toward the back, and from superior and inferior, which relate to vertical position (toward the head or toward the feet). For surfaces of organs, the anterior surface is the side that faces forward; for example, the heart’s anterior surface faces the chest wall.