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

The most likely type of fracture Betts has is a distal radius fracture. —Greg Scholz, The Athletic, 4 July 2024

The distal cause of these events can be traced to 2015. —Justin E. H. Smith, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2020

Nails may have evolved, in part, as an aspect of this distal sensory system, says Maiolino. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024

Due to their tiny size, they can be easily inhaled into the distal branches of the lungs, quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, and even pass through organ barriers. —Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

distant + -al

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing distal

• distal convoluted tubule

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