Definition:Lateral

Definition

The word lateral is a term denoting or concerning a face or edge of a $3$-dimensional figure that is regarded as its side, as opposed to its base.

Lateral Surface of Cone

Let $K$ be a cone.

The curved area of $K$ is known as the lateral surface of $K$.

Lateral Surface of Cylinder

The lateral surface of a cylinder is the curved surface between the bases.

Lateral Face of Prism

The lateral faces of a prism are the parallelogramic faces which join the bases.

Lateral Edge of Prism

The lateral edges of a prism are the edges which join the vertices of the lateral faces.

In the above diagram, the edges $AF, BG, CH, DI$ and $EJ$ are the lateral edges of the prism.

Lateral Face of Pyramid

The triangular faces of a pyramid which lead to the apex are called the lateral faces of the pyramid.

In the above diagram, $ABQ$ and $DEQ$, for example, form two of the $5$ lateral faces of the pyramid $ABCDEQ$.

Lateral Edge of Pyramid

The lateral edges of a pyramid are the edges which join the vertices of the lateral faces.

In the above diagram, the edges $AQ, BQ, CQ, DQ$ and $EQ$ are the lateral edges of the pyramid.

Also see

• Results about lateral can be found here.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): lateral
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): lateral