In human anatomy, what is indicated by the term "distal"?

The term "distal" in human anatomy is used to describe a position that is farther away from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. When comparing two structures that are connected to a reference point, the one that is farther away is referred to as distal. For example, in the context of the arms and legs, the fingers are distal to the wrist, and the toes are distal to the ankle. Understanding this terminology is essential for accurately describing the locations of different parts of the body in relation to one another, which is crucial for communication in healthcare settings.

In contrast, options referring to being nearer to the point of attachment represent the term "proximal," which is the opposite of distal. Terms describing lateral position or midline alignment are unrelated to the concepts of proximal and distal, which specifically refer to distance from the trunk or point of attachment.