Proximal
Proximal is a term used in anatomy and medicine to describe a location that is closer to the center of the body or the point of attachment to the body. This is in contrast to distal, which describes a location further from the center of the body or point of attachment.
The term proximal is derived from the Latin word proximus, which means nearest. It is used in many different contexts in medicine, such as in the description of blood vessels, nerves, and parts of the skeleton.
Usage in Anatomy[edit | edit source]
In anatomy, proximal is used to describe the position of structures along the length of the limbs. For example, the shoulder is proximal to the elbow, which means it is closer to the center of the body. Similarly, the hip is proximal to the knee.
Usage in Medicine[edit | edit source]
In medicine, proximal is often used to describe the location of injuries, diseases, or surgical procedures. For example, a proximal fracture is a break that is closer to the center of the body, while a proximal artery is an artery that is closer to the heart.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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