What movement is described by the term lateral?

Lateral movement refers to movement away from the midline of the body. In anatomical terms, the midline is an imaginary line that divides the body into equal left and right halves. When a body part moves laterally, it is increasing the distance between that part and the midline. This concept is important in various fields such as anatomy, physical therapy, and exercise science, as it helps in understanding how body parts relate to each other in space.

For instance, when a person raises their arm away from their body’s central line, this action constitutes lateral movement. This understanding is essential for accurately describing movements and diagnosing potential issues related to mobility or injury.