Pointed arch

A pointed arch has two curved sides that meet at an apex. Its geometry can direct loads downward more steeply than a semicircular arch.

Arch: A curved structure that spans an opening and carries loads through compression to its supports. The pointed arch is one form of this load-bearing structure.
Islamic architecture: The architectural traditions of Muslim societies across different regions and historical periods. Pointed arches appeared in Islamic buildings before their widespread use in Gothic Europe.
Voussoir: A wedge-shaped masonry unit used to build an arch or vault. A pointed arch is assembled from voussoirs meeting at its crown.
Lancet arch: A narrow, sharply pointed arch with a tall, slender profile. It is a distinctive pointed-arch form used in Gothic openings.
Line of thrust: The path through an arch along which compressive forces are transmitted. Its position shows whether the pointed arch’s masonry remains stable under load.
Romanesque architecture: A medieval European architectural style known for rounded arches, thick walls, and massive masonry. Its rounded arches provide context for the pointed form adopted in later churches.
Keystone: The central stone at the crown of an arch, locking its voussoirs in place. It occupies the meeting point at the apex of a masonry pointed arch.
Equilateral arch: A pointed arch whose two arcs are struck from centers at the opposite springing points. Its consistent geometry made it useful for Gothic openings and arcades.
Buttress: A projecting structure that reinforces a wall by resisting lateral forces. It helps counter the outward thrust produced by the arch.
Gothic architecture: A medieval architectural style marked by pointed arches, rib vaults, and extensive use of height and light. The pointed arch became one of its most recognizable structural forms.

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