Spatial Concept
distal Audio
dis·tal [ dis-tl ]
Etymology:
Latin distare = to stand apart or be distant
In dentistry, distal is, for example, applied to the tooth surface farthest away from the center or median line of the body.
Definitions related to distal (qualifier value):
  • (distal) In medicine, refers to a part of the body that is farther away from the center of the body than another part. For example, the fingers are distal to the shoulder. The opposite is proximal.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • (distal) Localized away from the central point of the body.
    Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)
    The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2025
  • (distal) Situated farthest from a point of attachment or origin, as of a limb or bone; or directed away from the midline of the body.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.