mesial

adjective

me·si·al ˈmē-zē-əl

-sē-

: middle, median

: of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the tooth in front of it or that is closest to the middle of the front of the jaw compare distal sense 2

mesially

ˈmē-zē-ə-lē

-sē-

adverb

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of mesial was in 1803

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mesia

mesial

mesial plane

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“Mesial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesial. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

mesial

adjective

me·si·al ˈmē-zē-əl -sē-

variants also mesal

-zəl -səl

: being or located in the middle or a median part

the mesial aspect of the metacarpal head

: situated in or near or directed toward the median plane of the body

the heart is mesial to the lungs

compare distal sense 1b

: of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the tooth in front of it or that is closest to the middle of the front of the jaw compare distal sense 1c, proximal sense 1b

mesially

-ē

adverb

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mesial

adjective

Word History

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