distal

adjective dis·tal \ˈdis-t^əl\

Definition of DISTAL

: situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point especially of the body — compare proximal

: of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the tooth behind it or that is farthest from the middle of the front of the jaw — compare mesial 2

— dis·tal·ly \-t^əl-ē\ adverb

Origin of DISTAL

distant + -al

First Known Use: 1803

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with DISTAL

Bristol, crystal, Crystal, listel, pistil, pistol

Medical Dictionary

distal

adjective dis·tal \ˈdis-t^əl\

Medical Definition of DISTAL

: situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point: as a : located away from the center of the body <the distal end of a bone>—compare proximal 1a b : located away from the mesial plane of the body—compare mesial 2 c : of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the following tooth counting from the middle of the front of the upper or lower jaw or that faces the back of the mouth in the case of the last tooth on each side—compare mesial 3, proximal 1b

: physical or social rather than sensory—compare proximal 2

—dis·tal·ly \-ē\ adverb