distal

Everyday

1. (science, medicine) Further away from the centre of the body or the point where something is attached. tree →
2. Opposite of proximal (closer to the centre). tree →

In the lessons

Used in biology, medicine and anatomy: the fingertips are distal to the elbow; doctors describe injuries this way; in geography, sometimes for areas far from a source; phrases: «distal end», «distal part of the arm».

Examples

• Your fingers are distal to your wrist. tree →
• The distal end of the bone is near the knee. tree →
• The doctor said the break was in the distal part of the arm. tree →
• In the diagram, label the distal and proximal ends. tree →
• Your toes are the most distal part of your leg. tree →
• The distal tip of the leaf was brown. tree →

Note

Science word; opposite: proximal. «Distal to» = further from the body's centre than. Related to distant.