Which term is defined as moving away from the midline of the body?

The term that describes moving away from the midline of the body is "lateral." This movement can be illustrated by actions such as spreading your arms or legs away from the center of your body. For instance, when you spread your arms out to the sides, you are performing a lateral movement. This is distinct in anatomy and exercise, as many movements involve transitioning from a midline position to a lateral position to achieve a range of motion.

In contrast, lateral flexion refers specifically to bending the body to the side, which is a type of movement that allows for lateral motion but is not synonymous with moving away from the midline in a general sense. The term "medial" refers to proximity to the midline, while "proximal" describes the closeness of a body part to the trunk or point of reference. Hence, lateral is the term that accurately captures the concept of moving away from the midline.