What's the explanation for vertical and horizontal mattress naming convention? it seems to me that the stitch technique should be called perpendicular (vertical) and parallel (horizontal) mattresses. Am i missing something?
Excellent observation, Jason! The names refer to the plane that they occupy. That perpendicular (vertical) runs mainly in the vertical plane. The parallel (horizontal) runs mainly in the horizontal plane. To confuse yourself even more, try considering that suture on a vertical surface. Your nomenclature might actually work better!
