Geometric terms of ___location

Geometric terms of ___location describe directions or positions relative to the shape of an object. These terms are used in descriptions of engineering, physics, and other sciences, as well as ordinary day-to-day discourse.^[1]

Though these terms themselves may be somewhat ambiguous, they are usually used in a context in which their meaning is clear. For example, when referring to a drive shaft it is clear what is meant by axial or radial directions. Or, in a free body diagram, one may similarly infer a sense of orientation by the forces or other vectors represented.^[1]

Examples

Common geometric terms of ___location are:

 

Radial (solid and colored lines) and circumferential roads (dashed and gray lines) in Metro Manila's road network

• Axial – along the center of a round body, or the axis of rotation of a body
• Radial – along a direction pointing along a radius from the center of an object, or perpendicular to a curved path.
• Circumferential (or azimuthal) – following around a curve or circumference of an object. For instance: the pattern of cells in Taylor–Couette flow varies along the azimuth of the experiment.
• Tangential – intersecting a curve at a point and parallel to the curve at that point.

• Collinear – in the same line
• Parallel – in the same direction.
• Transverse – intersecting at any angle, i.e. not parallel.
• Orthogonal (or perpendicular) – at a right angle (at the point of intersection).

• Elevation – along a curve from a point on the horizon to the zenith, directly overhead.
• Depression – along a curve from a point on the horizon to the nadir, directly below.

• Vertical – spanning the height of a body.
• Longitudinal – spanning the length of a body.
• Lateral – spanning the width of a body. The distinction between width and length may be unclear out of context.

• Adjacent – next to
• Lineal – following along a given path. The shape of the path is not necessarily straight (compare to linear). For instance, a length of rope might be measured in lineal meters or feet. See arc length.

• Projection / Projected - in architecture, facade sticking out; convex.
• Recession / Recessed - the action of receding; away from an observer; concave.

See also

•  
  Six degrees of freedom
•  
  Anatomical terms of ___location
•  
  Anatomical plane

References

1. "Geometric Terms and Their Definitions | DREME TE". prek-math-te.stanford.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-20.