Sektion

Sektion is a German noun meaning "section" or "division." It designates a part of a larger whole and is used across many fields to indicate a subdivision, a segment, or a cross-cut. The word comes from Latin sectio and is often used in technical or formal contexts, distinguishing itself from more everyday terms such as Abschnitt or Teil depending on nuance.

In medicine and anatomy, Sektion denotes dissection or an autopsy. A Leichensektion is an autopsy, while a Sektionspräparat refers to a prepared cross-section of tissue for microscopic study. A Sektion can also describe a cross-sectional slice obtained by cutting through an organ or body part, commonly used for teaching and diagnostic purposes.

In biology, particularly botany, Sektion is an infrageneric taxonomic rank used to group closely related species within a genus. In zoology and other disciplines the term likewise marks a subdivision within a larger unit. Outside science, Sektion frequently appears as a local or organizational subdivision, such as a section of a political party, a club, or a student union. In German, Sektion is often chosen to convey a formal or technical sense of “section,” while Abschnitt is more typical for narrative or chronological segments and Teil for a general part.