What is the opposite of 'proximal' in anatomical terminology?

In anatomical terminology, "proximal" refers to a position that is closer to the point of attachment or the center of the body. The opposite term is "distal," which denotes a position that is further away from the point of attachment or the center. For instance, in the context of limbs, the shoulder is proximal to the elbow, while the fingers are distal to the elbow. This relationship helps to clearly describe the location of structures in relation to each other within the body, making "distal" the correct counterpart to "proximal."

The other terms, while relevant in anatomical contexts, do not serve as opposites to "proximal." "Medial" refers to a position that is closer to the midline of the body, "lateral" indicates a position further away from the midline, and "superior" means a position above another structure. Each of these terms describes different spatial relationships but does not directly contradict the meaning of "proximal" as "distal" does.