DISTAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does distal mean? 

• DISTAL (adjective)
  The adjective DISTAL has 2 senses:

1. situated farthest from point of attachment or origin, as of a limb or bone

2. directed away from the midline or mesial plane of the body

  Familiarity information: DISTAL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISTAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Situated farthest from point of attachment or origin, as of a limb or bone

Domain category:

anatomy; general anatomy (the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals)

Antonym:

proximal (situated nearest to point of attachment or origin)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Directed away from the midline or mesial plane of the body

Similar:

lateral (lying away from the median and sagittal plane of a body)

Domain category:

anatomy; general anatomy (the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals)

Antonym:

mesial (being in or directed toward the midline or mesial plane of the body)

 Context examples 

The distal end of the appendix.

(Appendiceal Tip, NCI Thesaurus)

The majority of the tumors are located in the distal end of the appendix and they are enterochromaffin-cell carcinoid tumors producing serotonin.

(Appendix Enterochromaffin Cell Serotonin-Producing Neuroendocrine Tumor, NCI Thesaurus)

A gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus.

(Ankle Joint, NCI Thesaurus)

Amiloride inhibits sodium channels located in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney, thereby preventing the absorption of sodium and increasing its excretion along with water, to produce naturesis.

(Amiloride, NCI Thesaurus)

This leads to an increase in serum calcium concentrations by increasing intestinal absorption of phosphorus and calcium, promoting distal renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and increasing osteoclastic resorption.

(Cholecalciferol, NCI Thesaurus)

It is most commonly associated with mutations in the APC gene specifically: exons 1-5, exon 9 and in the distal 3' terminus.

(Attenuated Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, NCI Thesaurus)

BCL-2 homodimerization appears to involve head-to-tail interaction of N-terminal BH4 resides with more distal BH1, BH2, and BH3 regions.

(BH1 Domain, NCI Thesaurus)

Inflammation of the distal posterior uveal tract (choroid) and its structural and vascular attachments to the retina.

(Chorioretinitis, NCI Thesaurus)

It occurs in childhood and usually affects the distal posterior femur, the proximal tibia, and proximal humerus.

(Childhood Parosteal Osteosarcoma, NCI Thesaurus)

It affects the long bones, and most commonly, the distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal humerus.

(Childhood Conventional Osteosarcoma, NCI Thesaurus)