The terms proximal and distal are used in structures that are considered to have a beginning and an end (such as the upper limb, lower limb and blood vessels). They describe the position of a structure with reference to its origin – proximal means closer to its origin, distal means further away.
distal 1. Away from the point of origin of a limb or other structure. See proximal. 2. Toward the extremities of the body.
distal in American English (ˈdɪstəl ) Origin: distant + -al: formed in contrast to proximal adjective
Proximal and distal are anatomical terms used to describe the position of one body part in relation to another. In anatomy, proximal means closer to the point of attachment or closer to the trunk of the body, while distal means farther away from the point of attachment or farther from the trunk.
The meaning of DISTAL is situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point especially of the body. How to use distal in a sentence.
DISTAL definition: situated away from the point of origin or attachment, as of a limb or bone; terminal. See examples of distal used in a sentence.
(Definition of distal from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)
located away from the centre of the body or at the far end of something. Definition of distal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.