ACE Personal Trainer Practice Exam

Which term is used to describe a position far away from the center of the body?

1. Proximal

2. Distal

3. Medial

4. Lateral

The correct answer is: Distal

The term that describes a position far away from the center of the body is "distal." In anatomical terminology, 'distal' is used to indicate a location that is further from the midline or center of the body compared to another structure. For example, in the context of the limbs, the fingers are distal to the wrist because they are located farther from the body's center. In contrast, 'proximal' refers to structures that are closer to the center or point of attachment, while 'medial' indicates a position nearer to the midline of the body. 'Lateral' describes a position farther from the midline, but it doesn't specifically convey the distance from the center of the body as effectively as 'distal' does. Therefore, 'distal' is the most appropriate term to use in this context when describing a position that is far away from the center.