Proximal and distal

The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used to describe the position of body parts relative to one another. "Proximal" describes the position of a body part that lies closer to the head. "Distal" describes the position of a body part that lies farther away from it.

Example

The hand lies distal to the elbow. This means that the hand is farther from the head than the elbow. The elbow, in turn, lies proximal to the hand.

These terms are mainly used by (para-)medical professionals, such as doctors and physical therapists, to communicate more precisely about the location of an injury or problem. As a patient, you do not necessarily need to be familiar with these terms, but they can help you better understand a medical report.