segmental

Segmental is an adjective describing something that consists of, or is divided into, segments. The term derives from segmentum, Latin for a piece cut off, and is used across disciplines to indicate a structural division into discrete units with some regularity or boundary.

In linguistics, segmental refers to the study of discrete sound units, or segments, such as phonemes and allophones, as opposed to suprasegmental features like stress, tone, and intonation. Segmental phonology analyzes inventories of sounds, their contrastive properties, and permissible combinations (phonotactics).

In anatomy and medicine, segmental describes structures organized by body segments or spinal levels. Segmental innervation refers to nerves supplying a body region defined by spinal segments (dermatomes and myotomes). Segmental arteries and veins supply discrete anatomical segments along the spine or within organs. The term also appears in surgical contexts (segmental resections) where a defined bodily segment is removed or treated.

In biology and embryology, segmentation is a hallmark of certain lineages, with segmentally arranged body parts or somites that give rise to vertebrae, muscles, and dermis in vertebrates, and to repeated units in arthropods and annelids.