# distal

/ˈdɪstəɫ/ (US) · /dɪstˈæl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/distal
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

situated away from the center of the body or from the point where a limb attaches. You use this to describe parts of the body that are further out, like your fingers compared to your shoulder.

For teachers: situated away from the point of attachment or origin, or a central point of the body. Often used in anatomical contexts to describe the position of limbs or structures relative to the torso.

## Examples

- The wrist is distal to the elbow.
- The surgeon made a small incision at the distal end of the femur to repair the ligament.
- In evolutionary biology, researchers examine how distal structures like fins or wings adapted to specific environmental pressures while the proximal skeletal framework remained relatively conserved across different species.

## Usage notes

- Typically used in technical or medical contexts; often contrasted with 'proximal'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.