Which term denotes distance away from a reference point?

Which term denotes distance away from a reference point?

• A. Proximal
• B. Anterior
• C. Distal
• D. Inferior

Answer: (C)

Distance away from a reference point is described by distal. This term means farther from the trunk or point of attachment. So in the upper limb, the wrist is distal to the elbow, and the fingers are distal to the wrist, because they are farther from the shoulder. In contrast, proximal refers to something closer to the trunk (for example, the knee is proximal to the ankle). Anterior and inferior describe front and lower positions, not how far something is from a reference point.

Distance away from a reference point is described by distal. This term means farther from the trunk or point of attachment. So in the upper limb, the wrist is distal to the elbow, and the fingers are distal to the wrist, because they are farther from the shoulder. In contrast, proximal refers to something closer to the trunk (for example, the knee is proximal to the ankle). Anterior and inferior describe front and lower positions, not how far something is from a reference point.