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 third normal plane is the cingular (waist) plane: this is defined by the sagittal and transverse axes.

From Project Gutenberg

Valve symmetrical in zone and valve view along the sagittal line, but asymmetrical to the transverse axis, cuneate.

From Project Gutenberg

The sagittal plane of the valve of the auxospore is at right angles to the plane of the valve of the mother cell.

From Project Gutenberg

Simple dolichocephaly is due to synostosis of the sagittal, or antero-posterior suture of the skull.

From Project Gutenberg

One reconstruction was in wax, from sagittal sections, the other was a plotted reconstruction from transverse sections.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barbed
• sharp