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distal

distal

15 8.2
Farther from the center of the body toward the end of a limb
  • adjective
  • /ˈdɪstəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : distal
  • There is a very small proliferative lesion on the distal edge of the fracture.
  • distal end
  • distal outcomes
  • distal phalanges

So the most common is so-called distal pain, which means it starts in the feet and the hands.

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Examples

  • The segment distal to the injury undergoes Wallerian degeneration, which prepares the tube for axonal regeneration.

    Academic text (2015)
  • She dropped a box on her foot - and broke a distal phalange.

  • Almost no control now left of his most distal muscles there with the left hand.

  • Distal motor control is good.

  • Decreased distal pulse, right leg.

  • So the most common is so-called distal pain, which means it starts in the feet and the hands.

  • No distal pulse.

  • Most such patients present with distal bile duct obstruction caused by cancer of the pancreas.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The fractures that typically arise from osteoporosis are fractures of the hip, the spine, and the distal forearm or wrist.

  • The doctor explained that the injury was located at the distal end of the bone.

Antonyms

proximal
  • Specialized
9 7.9

Nearer the center of the body, close to where a limb joins

mesial
  • Specialized
9.9

Near the middle line of the body or the row of teeth

Compounds

8.8

A muscle disease that often runs in families and starts at 40–60, causing weakness in hands and lower legs

How Far

terminal
  • Specialized
20 5.7
distal
  • Specialized
15 8.2
proximal
  • Specialized
9 7.9
central
993 1.0

Surface Forms

distal positive

Morphology

distal = distant (semi-transparent) = dist + al

The adjective is formed with the productive suffix '-al' and corresponds to the idea of being 'distant', but 'distal' is a technical anatomical term and uses a reduced combining form 'dist-' rather than the full everyday base.

Etymology

Distal comes from Latin parts dis- meaning 'away' and stare meaning 'to stand', and it is like the common English word distant. So in anatomy, distal describes a part that 'stands away' from the body's center or from where an arm or leg connects, meaning it is farther from the point of attachment.