Proximal means nearer to the center (trunk of the body) or to the point of attachment to the body. If another reference point is given, such as the heart, the proximal point of another organ or extremity is the point closest to the heart, central rather than peripheral. Proximal is the opposite of distal.

Where is distal located?

Distal refers to sites located away from a specific area, most often the center of the body. In medicine, it refers to parts of the body further away from the center. For example, the hand is distal to the shoulder. The thumb is distal to the wrist.

What does proximally located mean?

1 : situated close to : proximate. 2 : next to or nearest the point of attachment or origin, a central point, or the point of view especially : located toward the center of the body — compare distal.