Anterieur

Anterieur (antérieur) is an anatomical term meaning front or forward-facing. In English texts, the standard spelling is anterior; in French, the corresponding term is antérieur. The form anterieur without the accent is occasionally seen in non-French texts or older writings but is not standard in medical French.

In humans, anterior denotes a position toward the front of the body in the standard anatomical position (standing, facing forward, arms at the sides with palms forward). It is opposite to posterior (toward the back). In quadrupeds, anterior generally refers toward the head, while ventral indicates the belly and dorsal the back. The term is used to describe the location of structures, surfaces, and pathways.

Examples include the anterior cerebral artery, the anterior chamber of the eye, and the anterior surface of a tooth (the surface facing the lips). In dentistry, anterior teeth are the incisors and canines, as opposed to posterior teeth (premolars and molars).

Etymology: from Latin ante- “before” + French -ieur suffix; the English "anterior" and French "antérieur" share the same roots. Usage spans anatomy, neurology, dentistry, and embryology.

See also: posterior, ventral, dorsal, cranial, caudal, superior, inferior.