periclinal

Parallel to the surface. The periclinal wall of a cell is thus one that is parallel to the surface of the plant body. A periclinal division is one that results in the formation of periclinal walls between daughter cells. Such a division results in an increase in girth of the organ. In cylindrical organs, such as stems and roots, the term tangential may be used in place of periclinal, usually in descriptions of cell walls. Compare anticlinal.