MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Anterior

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Illustrations Alternative Names	Definition

Illustrations

Anatomical landmarks, front view

Alternative Names Return to top

Ventral

Definition Return to top

Anterior means "in front of" or "the front surface of." The term usually refers to the front side of the body. For example, your knees and your face are on the anterior surfaces of your body.

Update Date: 10/18/2008

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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