What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mesial
Example
The dentist found a cavity on the mesial surface of my tooth. [mesial: adjective]
Example
The mesial edge of the tumor was pressing against the spinal cord. [mesial: adjective]
medial
Example
The medial compartment of the knee joint was damaged in the accident. [medial: adjective]
Example
The surgeon made a medial incision to access the heart. [medial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Medial is more commonly used than mesial in medical contexts, while mesial is more specific to dental contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mesial and medial?
Both mesial and medial are technical terms used in medical and dental fields, making them more formal than everyday language.
