In anatomy, distal means?

• A. Nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk
• B. Medial
• C. Farther from the point of attachment or the trunk
• D. Superior

Answer: (C)

Distal means farther from the trunk or the point where a limb attaches to the body. Along limbs, as you move away from the body, you become more distal. For example, the hand is distal to the shoulder, the ankle is distal to the knee, and the toes are distal to the ankle. The opposite term is proximal—closer to the trunk.

The other options describe different directions: nearer to the point of attachment would be proximal, medial refers to being toward the midline of the body, and superior refers to being toward the head.