What does 'ipsilateral' refer to in medical terminology?

'Ipsilateral' is a term commonly used in medical terminology to refer to structures, conditions, or phenomena that occur on the same side of the body. For example, if a patient has a tumor in the right lung, and there is also lymph node involvement on the right side of the body, this lymph node involvement would be classified as ipsilateral. Understanding this term is crucial in oncology, as it helps professionals to accurately document and communicate about diseases, their progression, and treatment plans that may vary depending on the laterality (side) of affected organs or tissues.

In contrast, the other options describe different anatomical relationships. The term “opposite side” refers to structures on different sides of the body and is known as 'contralateral.' “Near the surface” describes the anatomical position of structures but does not relate to lateral designation. “Farther from the origin” refers to the distance relative to a point of reference within the body and is termed 'distal.' Each of these terms conveys distinct anatomical concepts and differs from the definition of 'ipsilateral.'