What does "distal" refer to in anatomical terms?

In anatomical terminology, "distal" is used to describe a position that is further away from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. This term is often applied in the context of describing the limbs; for example, the fingers are distal to the wrist, meaning they are located further away from where the wrist connects to the arm.

The concept of "distal" is essential for accurately communicating locations within the body, particularly when comparing different structures. In contrast, the other options refer to different spatial relationships in anatomy: "closer to the midline," for instance, describes a position that is more central within the body, while "inward towards the center" and "nearer to the surface of the body" convey other specific directional terms that do not align with the definition of "distal." Thus, labeling a structure as "distal" effectively provides clarity about its relationship to other anatomical structures.