Medialinjaan

Medialinjaan is a term used in Dutch-language technical writing to denote a central reference line or axis within a system, body, or design. The word combines the root for middle or median with lijn, meaning line. There is no single, universally accepted definition across disciplines; instead, the meaning tends to be domain-specific and defined by the surrounding context.

In practice, medialinjaan serves as a central reference for alignment, measurement, or symmetry. In anatomy or biomechanics, it can relate to the body’s midline or sagittal plane, used as a guide for assessing alignment. In engineering or product design, it may function as a centering guideline for layouts, components, or assemblies. In botany or horticulture, it could denote a central vein or axis in a plant structure. In transportation planning or urban design, some writers describe a central corridor or main axis using a similar concept.

Because the term is not standardized, authors should define medialinjaan explicitly when it appears in texts, clarifying whether it refers to a geometric midline, a functional axis, or a design guideline. Variants of the concept—such as midline, median plane, or central axis—are often more widely recognized in their respective fields, but medialinjaan remains a domain-specific expression.

See also: midline, sagittal plane, median axis, axis, alignment, symmetry.