The term unilateral refers to something that occurs on or affects one side only. In medical contexts, it is often used to describe symptoms, conditions, or abnormalities that are present on one side of the body.
For example, if a patient has unilateral pain in their leg, it means the pain is occurring in only one leg, not both. Similarly, a unilateral headache indicates that the headache is affecting just one side of the head.
Understanding the concept of unilateral is important in medical assessments, as it can help healthcare professionals determine the nature and potential causes of a patient’s symptoms. In contrast, the term bilateral is used when a condition affects both sides of the body.