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 March 15, 2023.
Review Date 2/2/2023
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.