What is the opposite of distal in anatomical terms?

In anatomical terms, "distal" refers to a position that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. The opposite term, "proximal," indicates a position that is closer to the point of attachment or the trunk. Therefore, when considering the relationship between the two terms, "proximal" is correctly identified as the opposite of "distal." For instance, if you consider the arm, the shoulder is proximal to the elbow, while the fingers are distal. Understanding these terms is essential for accurately describing locations and relationships of body parts in medical and anatomical contexts.

The other terms, while related to anatomical positioning, do not represent the direct opposite of distal. "Medial" refers to being closer to the midline of the body, "lateral" describes a position away from the midline, and "superficial" indicates a position closer to the surface of the body, which does not relate to proximity in the context of attachment or trunk.