What does lateral mean in anatomy?

In anatomy, the term "lateral" refers to a position that is away from the midline of the body. It describes structures that are positioned on the outer side of the body or a body part, as opposed to those that are situated toward the center. For instance, the arms are considered lateral to the chest because they are located further from the midline. Understanding this terminology is crucial for accurately describing locations and relationships of different body parts, especially in medical and emergency contexts.