code: def meridian_dist(
      lat, ell: Ellipsoid = None, deg: bool = True
  ) -> float:
      """
      Computes the ground distance on an ellipsoid from the equator to the input latitude.
  
      Parameters
      ----------
      lat : float
          geodetic latitude
      ell : Ellipsoid, optional
           reference ellipsoid (default WGS84)
      deg : bool, optional
           degrees input/output  (False: radians in/out)
  
      Results
      -------
      dist : float
           distance (meters)
      """
      return meridian_arc(0.0, lat, ell, deg)
  
file_path: pymap3d/src/pymap3d/lox.py
imports: from __future__ import annotations
  from math import pi, tau
  from .None import rcurve, rsphere
  from .ellipsoid import Ellipsoid
  from .latitude import authalic2geodetic, geodetic2authalic, geodetic2isometric, geodetic2rectifying, rectifying2geodetic
  from .mathfun import atan2, cos, degrees, radians, sign, tan
  from .utils import cart2sph, sph2cart
label_desc: Use image node_id 1 for calling a global function with example usage: meridian_dist(lat, ell, deg) and returns: meridian_arc