Peripheral means "away from the center." It refers to areas away from the center of the body or a body part.
For example, the hands are peripheral to the shoulder. The toes are peripheral to the knees.
References
Taber's Medical Dictionary Online website. www.tabers.com/tabersonline. Accessed April 26, 2021.
Review Date 1/16/2021
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
