In the context of anatomy, what does the term "proximal" imply?

The term "proximal" is used in anatomy to describe the position of a body part in relation to another point of reference, usually in the context of limbs or structures connected to the body's core. Specifically, "proximal" means closer to the point of attachment to the trunk or the central part of the body. For example, in the context of the arm, the elbow is proximal to the wrist, indicating that it is closer to where the arm attaches to the shoulder and trunk.

This understanding of "proximal" is crucial for accurately describing the location of various structures within the body, especially when differentiating between areas that are further away (distal) and those that are nearer to the body’s central point.