The term you’re referring to is known as ‘proximal.’ In anatomical terminology, when we describe a body part as being ‘proximal,’ we mean that it is nearer to the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk of the body or closer to the origin of that body part.
For example, in the case of an arm, the shoulder is proximal to the elbow. This usage is particularly useful in medicine and biology to provide clear and precise descriptions of the locations of various parts of the body relative to one another.
Understanding these terms helps in effective communication, especially in fields that require detailed knowledge of anatomy, such as medicine, physiotherapy, and biology. It allows professionals to precisely describe where injuries are or where treatments need to be focused.