What does anterior (ventral) mean?

• A. Toward the front end of the body.
• B. Toward the back end.
• C. Toward the midline.
• D. Toward the upper part.

Answer: (A)

In anatomy, directional terms describe where a structure lies relative to the body. Anterior (ventral) means toward the front of the body. In the standard anatomical position, that front-facing side includes the chest and abdomen, so anterior points toward the belly side. The opposite directions are back/front—posterior (dorsal) toward the back; toward the midline—medial; and toward the upper part—superior. So the meaning of anterior (ventral) is exactly “toward the front end of the body.”