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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."

How to use distal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFarther away from the center or point of attachment, mainly used in anatomy.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
distal end distal joint

Word forms

more distal comparative, most distal superlative

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Test yourself on “distal” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The fracture occurred at the _____ end of the femur.

Etymology

Formed from "distant" + -al.

Antonyms

antonym(s) of “remote from the point farther from the speaker” mesial

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.

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