Tversgående

Tversgående is an adjective used in Swedish and Norwegian to describe something that lies, runs, or is oriented across a main axis or direction. It is commonly translated into English as transverse or crosswise. The term is built from a root meaning across and a suffix indicating motion or direction, and its exact spelling can vary between languages (for example tversgående in Swedish and tverrgående in Norwegian).

In anatomy, tversgående refers to the transverse plane, a horizontal or crosswise plane that cuts the body perpendicular to its long axis. A transverse plane divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts and is used to describe cross-sections or images of the body in medical contexts, alongside other planes such as sagittal and frontal (coronal).

Beyond anatomy, the concept appears in other fields to indicate crosswise orientation. In engineering and geometry, tversgående describes elements or features that run across the main direction of a structure or shape, such as cross-sections (tverrsnitt or similar terms) of beams or components. In geology and botany, transverse directions or cross-wise features may be noted when describing layering, cracks, or growth patterns.

Usage notes: while the core idea remains crosswise orientation, the precise terminology and spelling vary by language and discipline. In translations, tversgående is commonly rendered as transverse or crosswise in English, and practitioners may use different variant forms in Swedish and Norwegian technical writing.