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Peripheral

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Anatomical landmarks, back view
Anatomical landmarks, back view
Anatomical landmarks, front view
Anatomical landmarks, front view
Peripheral orientation
Peripheral orientation

Definition    Return to top

Peripheral means "away from the center." It refers to the areas away from the center of the body or a body part. For example, the hands are peripheral to the shoulder. The toes are peripheral to the knees.

Update Date: 2/23/2009

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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