What joint is located distal to the elbow within the upper extremities?

The wrist joint is located distal to the elbow within the upper extremities. In anatomical terms, "distal" refers to a structure that is further away from the torso or point of reference. The elbow is the joint connecting the upper arm to the forearm, and moving down the arm toward the hand, the next joint encountered is the wrist.

The wrist allows for a range of motions that are essential for daily activities and functions, including flexion, extension, and rotation of the hand. This positioning is crucial for understanding the hierarchy of joints in the upper extremities and their respective locations.

While the shoulder joint is proximal to the elbow—meaning it is closer to the body—the fingers and hand refer to structures that extend from the wrist rather than being distinct joints themselves. The fingers articulate at the knuckles (metacarpophalangeal joints) and interphalangeal joints, but these joints are not considered separate from the wrist in the context of this question. Thus, identifying the wrist as the joint located distal to the elbow aligns with proper anatomical understanding.