Sectio

Sectio is a Latin noun meaning "a cutting" or "a section." In scientific writing, the term appears as a Latinized label used to denote a subdivision within a larger category. It is common in fields that historically used Latin to organize classification, and its exact rank and scope can vary by discipline.

In botany, sectio (plural sectiones) is a formal rank used to group closely related species within a genus. The rank sits below genus and above more specific subdivisions in systems that employ it, and it is typically indicated by a capitalized Latin name following the genus (for example, Genus sect. Name). The use of sectio varies by taxonomic tradition, and many modern classifications rely on alternative infrageneric ranks or molecular data rather than formal sections.

In medicine, sectio denotes a surgical incision or opening. The most widely known usage is sectio caesarea, the cesarean section, the surgical delivery of a baby through an abdominal and uterine incision. The term also appears in descriptions of tissue or organ sections prepared for examination, such as histological sectio.

Beyond taxonomy and surgery, the word retains relevance in historical, linguistic, and analytical contexts to indicate a division or cross-section. While not uniformly standardized across disciplines, sectio functions as a generic label for subdividing a broader category by a characteristic or method of cutting.

See also: Section (biology), Cesarean section, Taxonomy, Latin terms in science.