Here's why:
* Distal refers to something that is further away from the point of origin or attachment, especially in the body. For example, your fingers are distal to your elbow.
* Proximal refers to something that is closer to the point of origin or attachment. So your elbow is proximal to your fingers.
Think of it like a tree: the branches are distal to the trunk, while the trunk is proximal to the branches.