What does 'proximal' specifically refer to in anatomical terms?

In anatomical terminology, 'proximal' refers to structures that are nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body. This term is commonly used to describe the relative position of limbs or other body parts. For example, when discussing the arm, the shoulder is proximal to the elbow because it is closer to where the arm attaches to the body. This is an important concept for understanding how various parts of the body relate to each other in a three-dimensional space.

To clarify other terms, 'distal' would refer to parts that are further from the point of attachment; 'inferior' refers to a position that is lower or towards the feet, and 'superficial' refers to being closer to the surface. Thus, 'proximal' specifically indicates a position that is closer to either the center of the body or to the point of attachment, reinforcing the importance of orientation in anatomy.