In terms of anatomical direction, what does "lateral" mean?

Lateral refers to a position or direction that is further away from the midline of the body. In anatomical terms, the midline is an imaginary line that divides the body into left and right halves. Therefore, when something is described as lateral, it is situated on the outside or to the side of this midline. For example, the ears are lateral to the nose; they are positioned on either side of the midline. Understanding this concept is crucial in any medical or first responder context, as it helps in accurately describing a patient's condition or the location of injuries.