sagittal

[ saj-i-tl ]

adjective

1. Anatomy.
   1. of or relating to the suture between the parietal bones at the roof of the skull or to a venous canal within the skull and parallel to this suture.
   2. (in direction or location) from front to back in the median plane or in a plane parallel to the median.
2. pertaining to or resembling an arrow or arrowhead.

sagittal

/ ˈsædʒɪtəl /

adjective

1. resembling an arrow; straight
2. of or relating to the sagittal suture
3. situated in a plane parallel to the sagittal suture

Derived Forms

• ˈsagittally, adverb

Other Words From

• sagit·tal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sagittal¹

From the New Latin word sagittālis, dating back to 1535–45. See Sagitta, -al ¹

Example Sentences

The percentage of meniscus was calculated in the coronal and sagittal sections, respectively.

From Science Daily

They specifically measured changes in fiber length and angles in both the sagittal and coronal planes during passive ankle dorsiflexion.

From Science Daily

He went to a hospital emergency room just after midnight and was found to have high blood pressure and sagittal sinus venous thrombosis.

From New York Times

Tupandactylus imperator was a bird-like creature, with a wingspan of around 10 feet, and a large flat protrusion on their head, called a sagittal crest, that stuck up vertically like a shark fin.

From Salon

That day in the cave, she slid her finger beneath the dirt and felt a large sagittal crest on the top of the skull.

From New York Times

Related Words

• barbed
• sharp