proximal

adjective

prox·​i·​mal ˈpräk-sə-məl 

1

: situated close to : proximate

2

: 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

3

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

proximally

ˈpräk-sə-mə-lē 

adverb

Examples of proximal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The greatest challenge for any course designer is finding a way to keep students working in their zone of proximal development. —Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Hip tendinitis can affect different tendons, including the gluteal (buttock) tendons and the proximal (upper) hamstring tendons.12 Gluteal tendinitis, or tendinopathy, affects nearly 24% of all middle-aged women. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 31 Oct. 2024

Symptoms Around the Nail The main symptoms of a hangnail infection affect the nail fold—the area where the nail meets the skin at the sides (lateral nail folds) and the base (proximal nail fold). —Mark Gurarie, Health, 9 Oct. 2024

The Serendipity Prospect is defined by 10 robust geochemical targets with up to 150 times background gold values proximal to the regional scale Hashimoto Deformation Zone (Figure 1). —Sacramento Bee, 19 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin proximus

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing proximal

• proximal convoluted tubule

Medical Definition

proximal

adjective

prox·​i·​mal ˈpräk-sə-məl 

1

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 sense 1a

b

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

2

: sensory rather than physical or social

proximal stimuli

compare distal sense 2

proximally

-ē 

adverb