Which standard surgical position has the patient lying with either the left or right side down?

The lateral surgical position is characterized by the patient lying on their side, either left or right, which allows for optimal access to certain anatomical structures and facilitates surgical procedures on specific organs or areas of the body, such as the kidneys or lungs. This position also ensures that the patient's airway remains open while providing effective exposure to the targeted surgical site.

In contrast, the supine surgical position involves the patient lying flat on their back, which does not provide the same access as the lateral position. The sitting surgical position has the patient upright, allowing visibility and accessibility to different areas but is not the same as lying on the side. The Trendelenburg surgical position involves the patient lying supine with the legs elevated and head lowered, primarily used in select situations but does not align with the description of lying on one side. Thus, lateral is the appropriate choice for the scenario described.