prior vs anterior

prior and anterior both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
prior	Yes	Yes	No	No
anterior	Yes	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, prior and anterior are synonyms defined as:

prior (noun)	anterior (noun)
the head of a religious order; in an abbey the prior is next below the abbot	a tooth situated at the front of the mouth

prior (adjective)	anterior (adjective)
earlier in time	of or near the head end or toward the front plane of a body
	earlier in time