What does 'distal' indicate in anatomical terms?

In anatomical terminology, 'distal' refers to a location that is farther away from the point of attachment of a limb or from the trunk of the body. This term is often used to describe the position of structures relative to each other. For instance, when comparing the arm and hand, the hand is considered distal to the arm because it is further away from where the arm attaches to the body.

Understanding this term is crucial in fields like medicine and biology, as it provides clarity about the relative positions of body parts, facilitating accurate communication regarding anatomy, conditions, or surgical procedures. Distal helps to delineate boundaries in descriptions, ensuring that there is no ambiguity about where a specific body part is located in relation to others.