Which term means nearest to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk?

Which term means nearest to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk?

• A. Distal
• B. Medial
• C. Lateral
• D. Proximal

Answer: (D)

Distance along a limb from the trunk is described using proximal and distal. Proximal means nearest to the point where the limb attaches to the trunk. That’s why the shoulder is proximal to the elbow and the hip is proximal to the knee—the closer-to-the-trunk position. Distal is the opposite, meaning farther from the trunk, as in the wrist being distal to the elbow or the ankle distal to the knee. Medial and lateral describe position relative to the body's midline, not distance to the trunk, so they don’t answer this question.

Distance along a limb from the trunk is described using proximal and distal. Proximal means nearest to the point where the limb attaches to the trunk. That’s why the shoulder is proximal to the elbow and the hip is proximal to the knee—the closer-to-the-trunk position. Distal is the opposite, meaning farther from the trunk, as in the wrist being distal to the elbow or the ankle distal to the knee. Medial and lateral describe position relative to the body's midline, not distance to the trunk, so they don’t answer this question.