sagittális

Sagittális is a term derived from the Latin word "sagitta," meaning arrow. In anatomy and geometry, it refers to a plane or direction that divides a body or object into right and left portions. This plane is also known as the anteroposterior plane or the median plane when it bisects the body precisely in the midline.

The sagittal plane is one of the fundamental anatomical planes used to describe the position and movement of structures within the body. For instance, a sagittal suture in the skull runs from front to back, separating the parietal bones. Movements occurring within the sagittal plane include flexion and extension, such as bending the elbow or nodding the head.

In a broader sense, the term "sagittal" can be applied to any line or direction that runs from front to back. For example, in optics, the sagittal depth of focus describes the depth within which an image remains acceptably sharp. In dentistry, the sagittal dimension refers to the measurement from front to back of the jaws. Understanding the sagittal plane is crucial in various scientific and medical disciplines for accurate description and analysis.