Distal

The term distal is used to describe location of a structure or a body part farthest from the trunk or away from its origin. This is contrary to the term ‘proximal’ which refers to part of the body being closer to the trunk or near its origin.

For example, the quadriceps muscles in the anterior thigh insert into the upper end of tibia distally, while they are attached at their origin to the hip bone proximally. Similarly, the femur articulates with the tibia distally (away from the trunk or axial body), while it articulates with the hip bon proximally (closer to the trunk or axial body).