distal
/ˈdɪst(ə)l
/adjective
1 Anatomy Situated away from the centre of the body or from the point of attachment: the distal end of the tibia...The opposite of proximal.
- The stomach and small bowel were dilated due to there being colonic atresia just distal to the cecum.
- Retinal prostheses are only viable if the visual pathway distal to the retina is intact and functional.
- This disorder occurs because of median nerve entrapment distal to the elbow.
1.1 Geology Relating to or denoting the outer part of an area affected by geological activity: the distal zone is characterized by pyroclastic flow deposits...
- In distal areas, a layered sedimentary unit appears under the chaotic unit.
- The spherules in South Greenland are the first distal impact ejecta recognized in mid-Precambrian strata.
- Similar laminated deposits are formed in more distal periglacial lakes.
Derivatives
distally
- Body or contour feathers are pennaceous distally.
- The muscle may be divided, with the second belly attached distally to the radius (near the tuberosity), or even the ulna.
- In all these species, Bcl-rambo and BH3-only Bid form two distally adjacent genes on opposite strands.
Origin
Early 19th century: from distant, on the pattern of words such as dorsal.