Plattartige

Plattartige is a German adjective used in science to describe objects that have a flat, plate‑like morphology. The term conveys a habit or shape that resembles a sheet or plate, rather than a slender rod or a compact block. It is commonly used across disciplines to provide a concise characterisation of form.

In mineralogy and crystallography, plattartige (tabular or plate‑like) crystals have large flat faces and relatively small thickness. This habit is typical for certain minerals and contrasts with prismatic, acicular, or granular forms. Common examples include sheet‑forming minerals such as muscovite and graphite, where the flat, tabular faces dominate the crystal shape.

In geology, the descriptor can describe textures and structures where minerals or rocks display a plane‑parallel arrangement, often related to foliation or cleavage. Plattartige textures contribute to the appearance of slatey or plate‑like surfaces and can influence the mechanical properties of metamorphic rocks.

In biology and medicine, plattartige describes flattened cell shapes or tissue structures. For example, flat epithelial cells are described as squamous or plattartige Zellen in various tissues, reflecting their characteristic broad, thin form.

In materials science, platelet‑shaped or plattartige particles are used as fillers or reinforcements in composites, where their flat geometry affects properties such as stiffness and barrier performance.

Etymologically, the word derives from Platte (plate) with the suffix ‑artig. Related terms include plattförmig and platt.