In anatomical terms, what does 'medial' mean?

The term 'medial' is used in anatomical terminology to describe a position that is closer to the midline of the body compared to another structure. In the context of human anatomy, the midline refers to an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into left and right halves. When a structure is described as being medial, it means that it is positioned nearer to this midline than another structure or reference point.

For example, in the context of the human body, the nose is medial to the eyes because it is situated along the midline and is closer to it than the eyes, which are positioned laterally. Understanding directional terms such as 'medial' is crucial in accurately describing the locations of various body parts and aids in effective communication within medical and healthcare settings.