Which term best describes a structure located towards the center of the body?

The term that best describes a structure located towards the center of the body is "medial." In anatomical terminology, "medial" refers to positions that are closer to the midline of the body, which is an imaginary line that divides the body into equal left and right halves. This establishes a point of reference for describing the location of various structures in relation to each other.

In contrast, "lateral" refers to structures that are further away from the midline, while "proximal" and "distal" are terms used to describe positions along limbs or appendages. "Proximal" indicates a structure that is closer to the torso or point of attachment, while "distal" corresponds to structures that are farther away from the torso or point of attachment. Thus, when identifying a structure that is nearer to the center of the body, "medial" is the appropriate term to use.