distal

/'sistəl/

Thân thiện

The surgeon examines the distal end of the femur.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Located far from the point of attachment or origin: In anatomy and biology, "distal" describes a position that is farther away from the center of the body or from the point where a limb or structure attaches. It is the opposite of "proximal."
   • Directed away from the midline: In anatomical descriptions, "distal" can also refer to a direction moving away from the central line (midline) of the body or a structure.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The fingers are distal to the wrist. (This means the fingers are farther from the point where the arm attaches to the body than the wrist is.)
  • In this diagram, the distal end of the bone is labeled. (This indicates the end of the bone that is farthest from its center or origin.)
  • The surgeon examined the distal portion of the artery. (This refers to the part of the artery that is situated farthest from the heart or its main branch.)

Advanced Usage

• Comparative and Superlative Forms: "More distal" and "most distal" are commonly used to describe relative distances.
  • The lesion was found in a more distal segment of the colon.
• In Dentistry: Used to describe the surface of a tooth farthest from the midline of the dental arch.
  • Cavities often form on the distal surfaces of molars.

Variants and Related Words

• Distally (adverb): In a distal direction or position.
  • The nerve extends distally down the arm.
• Proximal (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning situated nearer to the center or point of attachment.
  • The elbow is proximal to the hand.

Synonyms

• Far
• Outer (in specific anatomical contexts)
• Peripheral (when referring to areas away from a center)

Antonyms

• Proximal
• Central
• Near

Related Phrases and Contexts

• Distal phalanx: The bone at the tip of a finger or toe.
• Distal convoluted tubule: A part of the kidney nephron.
• Distal radius: The end of the forearm bone near the wrist.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. directed away from the midline or mesial plane of the body
2. situated farthest from point of attachment or origin, as of a limb or bone