Which directional term would best describe the position of the ankle in relation to the knee?

The term that best describes the position of the ankle in relation to the knee is "distal." In anatomical terminology, "distal" refers to a position further away from the trunk or point of origin. In this context, the ankle is located further down the leg compared to the knee.

When the body is in the standard anatomical position, the knees act as a point of reference along the lower limb. Since the ankle is positioned below the knee joint, it is considered distal to the knee. Understanding this relationship is essential in anatomy and physiology for accurately describing locations and orientations within the body.