distal

adjective

dis·​tal ˈdi-stᵊl 

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 sense 2

distally

ˈdi-stᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of distal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Read More: Meet the Comb Jelly, the Sister Species of All Animals Switching Distant Genes On and Off For long-distance gene regulation, or distal regulation, to work, DNA has to be folded or furled into intricate loops. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 May 2025

There are, however, webs at the distal end of the graft between all fingers and thumb which should be dealt with as soon as possible. —Geoff Dyer, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

This is further improved due to the compliant material used in the distal phalanxes of each finger. —IEEE Spectrum, 18 July 2013

Proximal colon cancer is a type of colon cancer that occurs on the right side of the colon and can have worse survival outcomes than cancers that occur in the distal colon, which is on the left side. —Maria Godoy, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

distant + -al

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing distal

• distal convoluted tubule

Rhymes for distal

• pistil
• pistol
• polycrystal

Medical Definition

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 sense 1a

b

: located away from the mesial plane of the body compare mesial sense 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 sense 3, proximal sense 1b

2

: physical or social rather than sensory compare proximal sense 2

distally

-ē 

adverb