What directional term describes a position away from the trunk of the body?

The correct answer is "distal," which describes a position that is farther away from the trunk of the body or the point of attachment. In anatomical terms, "distal" is used to describe structures located at a greater distance from the center or midline of the body, particularly when discussing parts of the limbs. For example, the fingers are distal to the wrist, meaning they are farther away from the body's trunk compared to the wrist.

In contrast, the term "proximal" refers to a position that is closer to the trunk or point of attachment, which is why it does not fit the definition in the question. The terms "lateral" and "medial" are used to specify positions relative to the midline of the body, with "lateral" meaning farther from the midline and "medial" meaning closer to the midline. Thus, they are also not applicable in the context of describing a position away from the trunk.