Which term refers to being closer to the trunk of the body?

The term that refers to being closer to the trunk of the body is proximal. In anatomical terminology, proximal describes a position nearer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk or the beginning of a structure. For example, the shoulder is proximal to the elbow, meaning it is closer to the trunk of the body than the elbow. Understanding this terminology is crucial in anatomy and medicine as it helps professionals accurately describe locations of body structures and relationships between them.

Other terms, such as distal, medial, and lateral, refer to different spatial relationships: distal denotes a position farther away from the trunk or point of reference, medial refers to being closer to the midline of the body, and lateral indicates being farther away from the midline. Each of these terms serves a specific purpose in accurately describing anatomical positions and relationships.