Which term means toward the back of the body?

The term that means toward the back of the body is "posterior" or "dorsal." In anatomical terminology, the term posterior is used to describe structures that are located toward the back side of the body. For example, the spine is posterior to the heart, meaning the spine is located behind the heart.

Understanding anatomical position is crucial in medicine, as it provides a standard reference for describing locations and directions within the body. In the anatomical position, the body is upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward. In this orientation, posterior indicates the back side of the body.

The other terms are designated for different directional references. For instance, anterior (or ventral) refers to the front part of the body, medial indicates a position closer to the midline, and lateral refers to a position away from the midline. This grasp of terms is vital for effective communication in medical contexts.