To determine the correct relationship between the shoulder and the elbow, we need to understand anatomical terminology. In this context, we are looking for a term that describes the position of the shoulder relative to the elbow.
Option A: lateral refers to a position away from the midline of the body. Option B: dorsal relates to the back side of the body. Option C: distal means further away from the point of attachment or origin. Option D: ventral refers to the front side of the body. Option E: proximal indicates a position closer to the point of attachment or origin.
Since the shoulder is positioned closer to the torso than the elbow, the correct answer is e) proximal. The shoulder is proximal to the elbow because it is nearer to the junction (the axial skeleton) that the arm connects to.