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Chapter 9 Human Body Orientation 451
Concept 5: Proximal and Distal
The terms proximal and l distal only apply to limbs. If a body part is l proximal,
it is closer to the place where a limb is attached to the body’s trunk. If a body
part is distal, it is farther from the place where a limb is attached to the body’s
trunk. For example, the muscles of the forearm are distal to the muscles of the
upper arm, and the muscles of the upper arm are proximal to the muscles of the
forearm. The calf muscles are distal to the muscles of the thigh, and the muscles
of the thigh are proximal to the calf muscles (Figure 9.14).
proximal closer to the place
where a limb is attached to
the body’s trunk
distal farther from the place
where a limb is attached to
the body’s trunk
Distal
Proximal i
Distal
mal Prox im
Upper arm
Forearm
Thighh
Calf
© Body Scientific International
Figure 9.14 The terms proximal and l distal apply to the arms and legs. l
Recall Activity
1. If a body part is __________________________, it is closer to the place where a limb is attached to the
body’s trunk.
2. The hand is __________________________ to the
elbow.
3. If a body part is __________________________, it is farther from the place where a limb is attached to
the body’s trunk.
4. The terms proximal and l distal only apply to __________________________. l
5. The ankle is __________________________ to the knee.