What is the definition of 'distal' in anatomical terms?

The term "distal" in anatomical terminology refers to a position that is farther from the trunk or the point of origin of a structure. In anatomy, understanding the location of body parts relative to each other is crucial for accurate communication. When you describe something as being distal, you're indicating its relative positioning away from the central part of the body (the trunk), towards the extremities.

This is particularly important when discussing limbs, as it helps in identifying locations of injuries or conditions. For example, the fingers are distal to the wrist, meaning the fingers are further away from the trunk of the body compared to the wrist.

In contrast, the other choices link to anatomical terms that do not describe "distal." "Nearer to the trunk" would describe the term "proximal," while "toward the head" and "toward the tail" relate to directional terms known as "superior" and "inferior," respectively. Each of these terms serves its purpose in the vocabulary of anatomy, but they capture different spatial relationships than what "distal" indicates.