Surface toward the median line is known as which term?

Surface toward the median line is known as which term?

• A. Mesial
• B. Distal
• C. Occlusal
• D. Incisal

Answer: (A)

In dental terminology, surfaces are described by their relation to the midline of the dental arch. The surface toward that middle line is called mesial. This term is used to indicate toward the center of the mouth, toward the midline between the two arches. The opposite surface, away from the midline, is distal. To place it in context, mesial is commonly used when discussing contacts and surfaces on teeth—for example, the mesial surface of one tooth contacts the distal surface of the tooth in front of it. Other surface terms help describe different directions: occlusal describes the chewing surface of posterior teeth, and incisal describes the biting edge of the anterior teeth.

In dental terminology, surfaces are described by their relation to the midline of the dental arch. The surface toward that middle line is called mesial. This term is used to indicate toward the center of the mouth, toward the midline between the two arches. The opposite surface, away from the midline, is distal.

To place it in context, mesial is commonly used when discussing contacts and surfaces on teeth—for example, the mesial surface of one tooth contacts the distal surface of the tooth in front of it. Other surface terms help describe different directions: occlusal describes the chewing surface of posterior teeth, and incisal describes the biting edge of the anterior teeth.