anterolateral
|an-te-ro-lat-er-al|
/ˌæn.təˈlæt.ər.əl/
front and to the side
Etymology
'anterolateral' originates from Latin elements: specifically from 'anterior' (from Latin 'ante' meaning 'before, in front') combined with 'lateral' (from Latin 'lateralis', from 'latus' meaning 'side').
'anterolateral' was formed in modern English as a compound of the combining form 'antero-' (from Latin 'ante' via 'anterior') plus the adjective 'lateral' (from Old French/Latin 'lateralis'); it entered technical anatomical usage in the 19th century.
Initially it literally combined the senses 'in front' + 'to the side'; this basic locational meaning has been retained in anatomical and clinical usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
situated toward the front and the side; relating to or located on the front‑side of a body or structure (anatomical).
The surgeon made an anterolateral incision to access the joint.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/23 06:09