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

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

His results show crisp stars with little evidence of sagittal coma, even for those at the edge of the frame. —PCMAG, 20 May 2024

Additionally, the fossil had a large sagittal crest—the ridge of bone that protrudes upward and runs along the middle of the skull, per the publication. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2023

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