Which term describes a body surface that points away from the midline?

The term that describes a body surface pointing away from the midline is "lateral." In anatomical terminology, the midline refers to an imaginary line that divides the body into equal right and left halves. Therefore, when a body surface or part is described as lateral, it means that it is positioned further away from this central line.

Understanding this concept is essential for accurately describing the locations of various organs, structures, or injuries in the body, which is crucial in the fields of medicine and death investigation. "Medial" would indicate something that is closer to the midline, while "proximal" refers to a part of the body that is closer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body, and "superficial" describes something that is nearer to the surface of the body. Each of these terms serves a distinct purpose in describing anatomy and positioning in a clear and specific manner.