In anatomy, proximal means?

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

Answer: (C)

Proximal means closer to the point where a limb attaches to the body, or closer to the trunk. For example, the shoulder is closer to the trunk than the elbow, and the thigh is closer to the hip (the point of attachment) than the knee. This term is used to describe positions along limbs and contrasts with distal (farther from the trunk). Medial and lateral describe position relative to the midline, not distance from the trunk. So the phrase “nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk” is the correct way to express proximal.