What does "anterior" refer to in anatomical terms?

"Anterior" in anatomical terms refers to something that is nearer to the front of the body. This terminology is used to describe locations of structures or to indicate the position of one part of the body in relation to another. For example, the chest is anterior to the spine, meaning it is located towards the front of the body compared to the spine, which is at the back. In clinical documentation and coding, proper understanding of these directional terms is crucial, as they help accurately describe the locations of conditions, procedures, or anatomical structures.