proximal

adjective prox·i·mal \ˈpräk-sə-məl\

Definition of PROXIMAL

: situated close to : proximate

: next to or nearest the point of attachment or origin, a central point, or the point of view; especially : located toward the center of the body — compare distal

: of, relating to, or being the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth

— prox·i·mal·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb

Origin of PROXIMAL

Latin proximus

First Known Use: 1727

Other Anatomy Terms

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

Medical Dictionary

proximal

adjective prox·i·mal \ˈpräk-sə-məl\

Medical Definition of PROXIMAL

a : situated next to or near the point of attachment or origin or a central point <the proximal was…better than the peripheral stump for a graft—Annual Review of Medicine>; especially : located toward the center of the body <the proximal end of a bone>—compare distal 1a b : of, relating to, or being the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth

: sensory rather than physical or social <proximal stimuli>—compare distal 2

—prox·i·mal·ly \-ē\ adverb