In the digestive tract, which term means farther from the mouth?

Prepare for the Marieb Language of Anatomy Exam. Utilize multiple choice questions, flashcards, and explanations for each answer. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

In the digestive tract, which term means farther from the mouth?

Distal is the term used for something farther from the mouth along the digestive tract. The tract runs from mouth to anus, so structures nearer the mouth are proximal, while those farther along toward the anus are distal. Anterior describes front-facing orientation and isn’t about distance along the tube, and lateral means side-to-side. For example, the esophagus is closer to the mouth (proximal) than the stomach, which is farther along (distal); the rectum is even more distal than the colon.

Distal is the term used for something farther from the mouth along the digestive tract. The tract runs from mouth to anus, so structures nearer the mouth are proximal, while those farther along toward the anus are distal. Anterior describes front-facing orientation and isn’t about distance along the tube, and lateral means side-to-side. For example, the esophagus is closer to the mouth (proximal) than the stomach, which is farther along (distal); the rectum is even more distal than the colon.

More practice questions