Word parts
dist distant-al relating to
What it means
A direction word mainly for limbs. The hand is distal to the elbow, and the toes are distal to the knee. It also describes things farther along a tube or vessel. The opposite is proximal, which means closer to the trunk.
For the nurse
Checks "distal to" an injury, cast or IV site (color, warmth, pulse, feeling, movement) tell you whether blood and nerves are getting past the problem.
Remember it
Distal is distant from the trunk.
At a glance
| Spanish | distal |
|---|
Related terms
extremity
An arm or a leg.
anterior
At or toward the front of the body.
peripheral
At or toward the outer parts of the body, away from the center, such as the arms, legs, hands and feet.
lateral
Toward the side of the body, away from the middle line.