Sagittalis

Sagittalis is a term used in anatomy and medicine to describe something that is oriented in the sagittal plane. The sagittal plane, also known as the median plane, is an imaginary line that divides the body into left and right halves. Therefore, anything described as sagittalis runs from front to back, parallel to this plane.

Common examples of sagittalis structures include the sagittal suture of the skull, which is the joint that runs between the two parietal bones along the midline of the head. Another example is the sagittal sinus, a major vein that collects blood from the brain and runs within the dura mater, also along the midline of the skull. Muscular structures can also be described as sagittalis if their orientation is in this plane, though this is less common than the use of the term for skeletal or vascular features.

The concept of sagittalis is crucial for accurately describing anatomical locations and movements. For instance, sagittal movements include flexion and extension at joints, such as bending the elbow or straightening the knee. Understanding the sagittal plane helps in medical imaging, surgical procedures, and understanding biomechanics.