What does "anterior" mean?

1. (front of the body) describes the front part of a person's or animal's body. 2. (earlier in time) coming before something else in time or order.

How do you use "anterior"?

In human anatomy, this is synonymous with 'ventral', though 'anterior' is more common in clinical reports. Often followed by the preposition 'to' when making a comparison.

1 front of the body (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

describes the front part of a person's or animal's body.

situated at or directed toward the front of the body or a specific organ.

Example

The doctor examined the anterior part of the patient's knee to check for swelling.

Example

The surgeon made a small incision in the anterior chamber of the eye to relieve the pressure caused by the fluid buildup.

Usage

In human anatomy, this is synonymous with 'ventral', though 'anterior' is more common in clinical reports.
- front
- ventral
- posterior
2 earlier in time (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Academic

coming before something else in time or order.

occurring before in time; prior or preceding.

Example

The events anterior to the war are often studied to understand why it started.

Example

The researcher argued that the cultural shifts anterior to the industrial revolution were the primary drivers of technological change.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'to' when making a comparison.
- subsequent
- posterior

Origin

Borrowed from Latin anterior (“that is before, foremost”).