Mesial
Pronunciation: MEE-zee-ul
Directed toward or situated at the midline of the dental arch; the tooth surface closest to the dental midline.
Full Definition
Mesial is a directional dental term describing the surface or aspect of a tooth that faces toward the midline of the arch (the point between the central incisors). It is the opposite of 'distal', which faces away from the midline. Mesial surfaces are the primary sites for interproximal caries, and the term appears extensively in charting notation, radiographic reports, and clinical records. Editors must understand that 'mesial' is not synonymous with 'anterior' or 'front' and must not substitute one for the other.
Usage
Usage note: Mesial and distal are arch-relative terms, not body-plane terms. Do not replace with 'medial' or 'lateral', which are body-anatomical directional terms.
In Context
- "A mesial carious lesion extending into dentine was identified on the upper right first premolar." — Radiographic report
- "Mesial tipping of the lower second molar had reduced the available implant space." — Implant treatment planning note