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Meaning & use

distal tips

noun·Advancedtechnicalbiologymedical

Last updated

UK/ˌdɪstəl ˈtɪps/
US/ˌdɪstəl ˈtɪps/

Meanings

  1. nounpluraltechnicalbiologymedical

    The ends of body parts that are farthest from the center of the body or from the point where they attach.

    Grammar: Always used in the plural; the singular form 'distal tip' is rare but possible when talking about one specific end.

    Patterns

    • the distal tips of something
    • at the distal tips

    The surgeon carefully examined the distal tips of the patient's fingers after the accident.

    In this diagram, the distal tips of the neurons are highlighted in blue.

    The distal tips of the roots absorb most of the water and nutrients.

  2. nounpluraltechnicalbiology

    The far ends of any long, narrow structure, especially in biology or anatomy.

    Grammar: Used with 'of' to specify what the tips belong to: the distal tips of the wings.

    Patterns

    • the distal tips of something

    The distal tips of the insect's antennae are sensitive to touch.

    Researchers marked the distal tips of the plant's leaves to track their growth.

    The distal tips of the cat's claws are covered by a protective sheath.

Word forms

singulardistal tip

Common combinations

distal tips of the fingers
The distal tips of the fingers have many nerve endings.
distal tips of the toes
He felt a sharp pain in the distal tips of his toes.
distal tips of the dendrites
Signals are received at the distal tips of the dendrites.
distal tips of the wings
The distal tips of the wings are darker in color.

Synonyms and how they differ

extremities
A more general term for the farthest parts of the body, such as hands and feet, not just the very ends.
ends
A simpler, everyday word that can replace 'tips' in many contexts, but it does not imply distance from the center.
tips
Shorter and more common in everyday speech, but it lacks the technical precision of 'distal'.

Opposites

proximal ends

Word family

distal adjective
Situated away from the center of the body or from the point of attachment.
distally adverb
In a direction away from the center or point of attachment.
tip noun
The pointed or rounded end of something.

Commonly confused: distal tips or proximal tips?

distal tips vs proximal tips

'Proximal' means closer to the center or point of attachment, so 'proximal tips' would refer to the near ends, not the far ends.

Practice

In anatomy, which phrase correctly describes the very ends of the fingers farthest from the wrist?

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