Which term is used to describe the limb segment closest to the body's trunk?

Which term is used to describe the limb segment closest to the body's trunk?

• A. Proximal
• B. Distal
• C. Radius
• D. Patella

Answer: (A)

Proximal describes a limb segment that is nearest to the body's trunk. In limbs, the part closer to the torso is called proximal, while the part farther away is distal. For example, the upper arm is proximal to the forearm, and the thigh is proximal to the shin. The other options aren’t directional terms: the radius is a bone in the forearm, and the patella is the kneecap, so they don’t indicate position relative to the trunk.

Proximal describes a limb segment that is nearest to the body's trunk. In limbs, the part closer to the torso is called proximal, while the part farther away is distal. For example, the upper arm is proximal to the forearm, and the thigh is proximal to the shin. The other options aren’t directional terms: the radius is a bone in the forearm, and the patella is the kneecap, so they don’t indicate position relative to the trunk.