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.
A simple way to remember distal and proximal is to associate proximal with “proximity” (closeness) and distal with “distance” (farther away). Think of proximal as being “in proximity” to the body’s center or point of attachment, while distal is at a distance from it.
The meaning of PROXIMAL is situated close to : proximate. How to use proximal in a sentence.
PROXIMAL meaning: 1. near to the centre of the body or to the point of attachment of a bone or muscle: 2. near to…. Learn more.
proximal in American English (ˈprɑksəməl) adjective situated toward the point of origin or attachment, as of a limb or bone
Proximal means nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body. If another reference point is given, such as the heart, the proximal point of another organ or extremity.
proximal 1. Near the point of origin. 2. Toward the point where a limb is attached to the body.
proximal, adj. & n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary