Proximal
Proximal means nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body. If another reference point is given, such as the heart, the proximal point of another organ or extremity is the point closest to the heart, central rather than peripheral.
Proximal is the opposite of distal.
References
Taber's Medical Dictionary Online website. www.tabers.com/tabersonline. Accessed March 7, 2019.
Anatomical landmarks, back view - illustration
Anatomical landmarks, back view
illustration
Anatomical landmarks, front view - illustration
Anatomical landmarks, front view
illustration
Review Date: 2/7/2019
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.