sagittal

adjective

sag·​it·​tal ˈsa-jə-tᵊl 

1

: of or relating to the suture between the parietal bones of the skull

2

: of, relating to, situated in, or being the median plane of the body or any plane parallel to it

sagittally

ˈsa-jə-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of sagittal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s important, since most of us spend the majority of our lives in the sagittal plane (forward and backward movements) and don’t often move in the two other planes. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 19 June 2025

Lots of traditional gym staples (like squats, lunges, or presses) involve the sagittal plane, or forward and backward motion. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 2 May 2025

Practice lateral lunges with control and balance Most people train in the sagittal plane (forward and back) but neglect lateral movement (side to side), which is a key to functional hip mobility. —Dana Santas, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025

Just like everyday movement patterns, exercises should be performed in all three planes of motion: sagittal (forward and backward), frontal (side to side) and transverse (rotational). —Dana Santas, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sagittale, from Medieval Latin sagittalis, from Latin sagitta arrow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

sagittal

adjective

sag·​it·​tal ˈsaj-ət-ᵊl 

1

: of, relating to, or being the sagittal suture of the skull

2

: of, relating to, situated in, or being the median plane of the body or any plane parallel to it

a sagittal section dividing the body into unequal right and left parts

sagittally adverb