distal

adjective dis·tal \ ˈdis-tᵊl \

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

the distal ends of the tibia and fibula

2 dentistry : 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

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distally

play \-tᵊl-ē\ adverb

Recent Examples of distal from the Web

By video, the hope for good news is that there is nothing to suggest a distal biceps tendon tear, which would require surgery.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "UPDATED: Biceps injury might not even keep Stephon Tuitt out one game," 11 Sep. 2017
Both were carted off the field and undoubtedly will undergo X-rays to rule out a distal fibula fracture.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Broncos receivers Sanders, McKenzie suffer similar injuries," 15 Oct. 2017
Symptoms include tenderness over the middle or most distal portion of the metatarsal (long foot bone) with moderate swelling on the top of the foot.

— julie isphording, Cincinnati.com, "How to keep your most important extremities healthy," 10 July 2017
Surgeons can close the hole and create a valve, but long-term outcomes vary, in large part because some patients also have undersized distal pulmonary arteries.

— nara schoenberg, chicagotribune.com, "Surgeon explains Kimmel baby's heart defect," 2 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'distal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of distal

distant + -al

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1803

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

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

Medical Dictionary

distal

adjective dis·tal \ ˈdis-tᵊl \

1 : 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

2 : physical or social rather than sensory — compare proximal 2

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