The anatomical term "peripheral" refers to something

• A. Toward the outside of the body
• B. Outward from the center of the body
• C. Toward the back of the body
• D. Inside the body

Answer: (B)

Peripheral describes location away from the body's center or toward its surface. It’s used for parts that are farther from the core, such as nerves extending from the brain and spinal cord to reach limbs and organs.

Outward from the center of the body is the best wording because it clearly ties the idea to moving away from the center toward the edge of the body, which is exactly what peripheral conveys. Saying “toward the outside of the body” communicates a similar idea, but the emphasis on moving away from the center aligns best with how anatomy distinguishes inner (central) from outer (peripheral) regions. The idea of “toward the back” is a specific directional plane (dorsal) and doesn’t define peripheral as a general location. “Inside the body” is opposite of peripheral.