What term describes farther from the trunk of the body?

What term describes farther from the trunk of the body?

• A. Distal
• B. Superficial
• C. Deep
• D. Inferior

Answer: (A)

Distal describes something that is farther from where a limb attaches to the body. It’s used to indicate positions along limbs relative to the trunk, with the farther end being distal. For example, the hand is distal to the elbow, and the toes are distal to the knee—the parts farther from the trunk. The opposite term is proximal, which describes something closer to the trunk. The other terms shown—superficial (near the surface), deep (farther from the surface), and inferior (lower in the body in an upright position)—don’t relate to distance from the trunk, so they aren’t correct here.

Distal describes something that is farther from where a limb attaches to the body. It’s used to indicate positions along limbs relative to the trunk, with the farther end being distal. For example, the hand is distal to the elbow, and the toes are distal to the knee—the parts farther from the trunk. The opposite term is proximal, which describes something closer to the trunk. The other terms shown—superficial (near the surface), deep (farther from the surface), and inferior (lower in the body in an upright position)—don’t relate to distance from the trunk, so they aren’t correct here.