a distal third

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distal third" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in medical or anatomical contexts to refer to the third part of a structure that is farthest from the point of attachment or origin. Example: "The fracture occurred in the distal third of the radius, requiring surgical intervention."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One of them had a proximal angulation and was treated with a tibial corrective osteotomy and renailing, while the other had a distal third valgus deformity with severe ankle valgus.

Acta Orthopaedica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A distal first metatarsal osteotomy (Chevron) was performed in all patients with ankle tourniquet application (250 mmHG).

BMC Anesthesiology

b Post-operative anteroposterior and lateral radiographs showing sound union at 5 months following fixation with LCP Open image in new window Fig. 3 a Anteroposterior and lateral views showing a distal-third fracture with medial comminution and proximal extension of the fracture line.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

The next step included a distal-third trans-tibiofibular amputation with ligation of neurovascular structures.

Acta Orthopaedica

Management of the patient was complicated by a pathological fracture of the distal third of left femur sustained during an incision and drainage when a manipulation under anaesthesia was performed at the same time for the stiff knee.

BMC Infectious Diseases

APR was performed in 60% of patients (n = 21) with a tumor in the distal third of the rectum and in 9% of patients (n = 4) with a tumor in the middle third of the rectum (within 6-8 cm of the pectineal line) due to an overestimated distance to the anal verge and to infiltration of the surgical border.

BMC Cancer

The injury is a spiral fracture of the distal third of the humerus, typically as a consequence of blunt trauma, with the distal fragment displaced such that the proximal aspect is deviated radially.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Video laryngoscopes contain a small camera and a light source at the distal third of the blade.

Critical Care

b Immediate post-operative radiographs showing fixation with two lag screws and pre-contoured LCP with two locking screws in the distal fragment Open image in new window Fig. 2 a Anteroposterior and lateral views showing a transverse fracture of the distal third of the humerus.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

The clinical examination revealed the presence of a painful swelling at the distal third of the humerus.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

There was a modest correlation between the distal third lateral femur BMD and the hip shaft BMD (r=.55) and neck BMD (r=0.5).

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing anatomical locations, ensure the term "a distal third" is paired with a clearly defined reference point (e.g., "a distal third of the femur") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a distal third" without clearly specifying what structure is being divided. For example, saying "the injury is in a distal third" is unclear; specify "the injury is in the distal third of the tibia".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distal third" primarily functions as an adjectival modifier, specifying a particular location or region of a structure. It indicates that the area being described is located in the part furthest from the point of origin or attachment. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in describing anatomical locations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distal third" serves as an adjectival modifier to specify the location of something in the furthest third from its origin, according to Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in medical and scientific fields to give a specific spatial reference. When using "a distal third", it is best practice to specify the structure that you're describing to ensure clarity. Ludwig's examples showcase its function in medical contexts, reinforcing the importance of precision in such fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the distal portion

Replaces "third" with a more general term for a part, referring to the furthest section.

outer third

Uses "outer" to describe the location instead of "distal", keeping the division into thirds.

farthest third

Emphasizes the distance with "farthest", maintaining the fractional division.

terminal third

Highlights the end position with "terminal", while keeping the division into thirds.

end third

Simplifies the description by using "end" instead of "distal", referring to the part at the end.

the distal segment

Replaces "third" with "segment", broadening the definition from a specific fraction to a general section.

apical third

Uses "apical" to specify location at the apex, maintaining the division into thirds.

the most distal part

Refers to the most distal section, not necessarily a third.

the far end section

Focuses on the end location using simpler terminology instead of "distal third".

extreme distal area

Highlights the extreme distance using "extreme" with a more general reference to the area.

FAQs

How is "a distal third" typically used in medical contexts?

In medical contexts, "a distal third" usually refers to the part of a bone, organ, or other anatomical structure that is farthest from the point of attachment or origin. For example, "a fracture in the distal third of the femur" indicates the location of the fracture.

What are some alternatives to "a distal third" that provide a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "the distal portion", "outer third", or "farthest third". The best choice depends on the level of precision required and the specific context. See also: "the distal portion", "outer third".

Is it always necessary to specify the structure when using the term "a distal third"?

Yes, it is crucial for clarity to specify the structure to which you are referring when using "a distal third". For example, instead of saying just "the pain is in the distal third", specify "the pain is in the distal third of the tibia".

In what fields is the term "a distal third" commonly used?

The term "a distal third" is commonly used in fields such as medicine, anatomy, and engineering to describe the location of a feature or component on a longer object or structure. Its usage in anatomy is particularly frequent.