What is the term for a body part that is closer to the point of attachment to the trunk?

The term that describes a body part that is closer to the point of attachment to the trunk is "proximal." In anatomy, this directional term is used to specify the location of structures relative to each other. When we refer to something as proximal, we are indicating that it is nearer to the main body or the trunk.

For instance, in the case of the limbs, the elbow is proximal to the wrist, meaning that the elbow is closer to where the arm attaches to the body than the wrist is. This distinction is important for communication in medical and anatomical contexts, where precision is essential for understanding locations and relationships between different parts of the body.

In contrast, terms like "distal" refer to parts that are further away from the trunk or point of attachment, while "superficial" denotes structures that are closer to the surface of the body, and "inferior" indicates a position lower than another structure. Understanding these terms helps in accurately describing the spatial relationships between various body parts.