What does "distal" mean in anatomical terms?

In anatomical terms, "distal" refers to a position that is farther away from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. This terminology is particularly important for describing the location of various body parts in relation to each other. For example, when discussing the limbs, the fingers are distal to the wrist because they are further away from where the arm connects to the torso. Understanding this term is crucial in medical contexts, as it helps healthcare professionals accurately describe the locations of injuries, diseases, or surgical sites in relation to other structures.

The other options, while they define different anatomical terms, do not correctly capture the meaning of "distal." The term "pertaining to the middle" refers to a different concept known as "medial," and "near the beginning of a structure" aligns more closely with "proximal." The term "below another structure" typically relates to "inferior," which is a different directional descriptor entirely.