A

David

Darling

proximal

proximal and distal

PROXIMAL – used to described a part of the body nearer to the midline than another part. Thus the elbow is proximal to the wrist.
DISTAL – the opposite of proximal. The ankle is distal to the knee.


In anatomy, proximal is nearer to the root or head of a structure such as a limb. The name derives from the Latin proxime, "nearest". For example, the proximal end of the femur is part of the hip joint, and the shoulder is proximal to the elbow. The opposite of proximal is distal.