Okuzeka
Anatomy & Physiology vocabulary · Body Regions and Directional Terms

Distal

Meaning in anatomy & physiology, with examples

/ˈdɪstəl/adjectiveCore term

In anatomy & physiology, distal means: Farther from the point where a limb joins the trunk, or farther from the beginning of a structure. For example, the fingers are distal to the wrist.

In Turkish: distal, gövdeden uzak

How it is used

The opposite of proximal. Doctors check distal pulses in the feet, describe distal radius fractures at the wrist and talk about the distal colon. Distal is about distance along a limb or tube, not about being on the outside.

Example sentences

  1. Distal pulses were present in both feet.

  2. A distal radius fracture is common after a fall on an outstretched hand.

Common collocations

  • distal to
  • distal end
  • distal pulses
  • distal radius
  • distally
  • proximalCloser to the point where a limb joins the trunk, or closer to the beginning of a structure. For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
  • limbAn arm or a leg. In anatomy the arm is called the upper limb (shoulder to hand) and the leg is called the lower limb (hip to foot).
  • lateralFarther from the midline of the body; toward the side. For example, the ears are lateral to the eyes.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Body Regions and Directional Terms

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.