Which term means farther from the origin or attachment point?

Which term means farther from the origin or attachment point?

• A. Proximal
• B. Medial
• C. Dorsal (posterior)
• D. Distal

Answer: (D)

Distal describes something that is farther from the point of origin or attachment, such as a limb’s end being farther from where the limb attaches to the body (for example, the fingers are distal to the wrist, which is distal to the elbow). This term is used to indicate increasing distance from the trunk or main point of attachment. Proximal means closer to that origin, so it’s the opposite of distal. Medial indicates a position toward the body's midline, not distance. Dorsal (posterior) refers to the backside of the body, not how far a structure is from its origin.

Distal describes something that is farther from the point of origin or attachment, such as a limb’s end being farther from where the limb attaches to the body (for example, the fingers are distal to the wrist, which is distal to the elbow). This term is used to indicate increasing distance from the trunk or main point of attachment.

Proximal means closer to that origin, so it’s the opposite of distal. Medial indicates a position toward the body's midline, not distance. Dorsal (posterior) refers to the backside of the body, not how far a structure is from its origin.