adj
distal
DIHS-tuhl
Distal (adj) means Located far from the point of attachment or origin, especially in anatomy. Example: “The fracture occurred at the distal end of the femur.”
adj
1
Located far from the point of attachment or origin, especially in anatomy.
"The fracture occurred at the distal end of the femur."
"the distal end of a bone or muscle"
How to use distal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFarther away from the center or point of attachment, mainly used in anatomy.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
distal end
distal joint
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more distal
- Superlative
- most distal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fracture occurred at the _____ end of the femur.
Etymology
Formed from "distant" + -al.
Related words
Rhymes for distal
See all rhymes for distal →Frequently asked questions
What does “distal” mean?
The word “distal” means located far from the point of attachment or origin, especially in anatomy. In plain terms, farther away from the center or point of attachment, mainly used in anatomy.
How do you pronounce “distal”?
“Distal” is pronounced DIHS-tuhl (/ˈdɪs.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “distal” in a sentence?
Here is “distal” used in a sentence: “The fracture occurred at the distal end of the femur.”
What is the opposite of “distal”?
The opposite of “distal” — its antonyms — are antonym(s) of “remote from the point, farther from the speaker” and mesial.
What part of speech is “distal”?
“Distal” is an adjective.
