This means nearest. It is a word used when an organism is in anatomic position and it is necessary to describe a feature on its body so that others can understand without actually seeing the organism where something is in reference to something else. This is used for linear structures such as limbs to describe a point that is closer to its point of attachment to the body than another. In human anatomy, when referring to human limbs, proximal is defined as the distance from the trunk of the body in relation to another object. The elbow is proximal to the wrist.

Also see superior, posterior, ventral, dorsal, cephalic, caudal, distal, medial, lateral, superficial, deep, prone, supine, plane, and region.