Which surface of the head is referred to as 'lateral'?

The term 'lateral' refers to the side parts of an object or body. In the context of the human head, the temporal region is located laterally, or to the sides of the skull. The temporal bones, located on each side of the head, play a significant role in housing structures related to hearing and balance.

Understanding the anatomical orientation is crucial for death investigation and for interpreting locations of injuries or pathology. The occipital region is found at the back of the head, while the parietal bones form the superior portion of the cranium. The sternal notch or angle pertains to a part of the sternum in the chest, and does not relate directly to the lateral aspects of the head. Thus, the temporal region is indeed the appropriate choice when identifying the lateral aspect of the human head.