What is the directional term for away from the midline of the body?

The term that describes the direction away from the midline of the body is indeed lateral. In anatomical terminology, the midline refers to an imaginary line that divides the body into equal left and right halves. Therefore, when a structure is described as being lateral, it means that it is situated further away from this midline, towards the sides of the body.

For example, the shoulders are lateral to the midline of the body, while the heart is positioned more medially. Understanding this terminology is crucial for describing locations of different body parts and for providing clear communication in anatomy and physiology. The other terms, such as medial, inferior, and proximal, refer to different anatomical relationships and do not indicate a position away from the midline.