1
anatomy
: situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point especially of the body compare proximal
the distal ends of the tibia and fibula
2
dentistry
: of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the tooth behind it or that is farthest from the middle of the front of the jaw compare mesial sense 2
Examples of distal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To put it in perspective, the most severe type of injury in this area would be a distal tendon avulsion (the hamstring coming unattached by the knee area).
—
Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 26 July 2024
For example, peripheral neuropathy causes symptoms in the distal extremities (toes and fingers).
—Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024
After undergoing surgery to repair the distal humerus fracture in her arm, Gladys had a temporary cast applied, which was later replaced with a custom titanium cast designed by Colibrium Additive, a GE Aerospace company, on April 19.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024
Studies, however, show that the increase in diagnoses is mainly driven by a rise in rectal cancers and cancers found in the left, or distal, side of the colon, near the rectum.
—Knvul Sheikh, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distal 
Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 26 July 2024
For example, peripheral neuropathy causes symptoms in the distal extremities (toes and fingers).
—Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024
After undergoing surgery to repair the distal humerus fracture in her arm, Gladys had a temporary cast applied, which was later replaced with a custom titanium cast designed by Colibrium Additive, a GE Aerospace company, on April 19.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024
Studies, however, show that the increase in diagnoses is mainly driven by a rise in rectal cancers and cancers found in the left, or distal, side of the colon, near the rectum.
—Knvul Sheikh, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for distal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near distal
Cite this Entry
“Distal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distal. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
distal
adjective
dis·tal
ˈdis-tᵊl 
1
: situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point: as
a
: located away from the center of the body
the distal end of a bone
compare proximal sense 1a
b
: located away from the mesial plane of the body compare mesial sense 2
c
: of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the following tooth counting from the middle of the front of the upper or lower jaw or that faces the back of the mouth in the case of the last tooth on each side compare mesial sense 3, proximal sense 1b
2
: physical or social rather than sensory compare proximal sense 2
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