Külgvaates

Külgvaates is Estonian for a side view or lateral perspective. The term describes a representation of an object as seen from the side, rather than from the front or rear. It is used across disciplines to convey the profile and contour of the subject.

In anatomy and medicine, lateral views show the side of the body or a body part, such as the skull or chest, and are commonly employed in imaging and diagnostics. In radiography, a lateral radiograph (lateral view) helps evaluate structures that are difficult to assess from the front. In engineering and design, külgvaade or side elevation provides the silhouette and essential longitudinal dimensions of objects, aiding measurements and construction. In art and photography, side views emphasize contours, profiles, and lighting effects that reveal different aesthetic qualities than front-facing compositions.

The concept emphasizes projection and orientation: the same object can have multiple valid views, each highlighting different features. The term derives from the Estonian words külg meaning side and vaade meaning view.

See also: profile, lateral view, orthographic projection.