Which term means behind, towards the back of the mouth?

Which term means behind, towards the back of the mouth?

• A. Distal
• B. Mesial
• C. Buccal
• D. Lingual

Answer: (A)

Distal is the directional term used to indicate a surface or location toward the back of the mouth, away from the midline. In dental anatomy, you describe positions relative to the midline: mesial means toward the midline (toward the front), distal means toward the back. Buccal points to the cheek side, and lingual to the tongue side. So when something is described as behind or toward the back of the mouth, distal is the best fit. For example, the distal surface of a front tooth faces toward the back of the mouth, opposite the mesial surface that faces the midline.

Distal is the directional term used to indicate a surface or location toward the back of the mouth, away from the midline. In dental anatomy, you describe positions relative to the midline: mesial means toward the midline (toward the front), distal means toward the back. Buccal points to the cheek side, and lingual to the tongue side. So when something is described as behind or toward the back of the mouth, distal is the best fit. For example, the distal surface of a front tooth faces toward the back of the mouth, opposite the mesial surface that faces the midline.