A cylinder is a three-dimensional geometric figure generated by a straight line moving parallel to a fixed straight line along a plane curve. It is a body of roller-like form. It can also be thought of as a solid bounded by two parallel planes and as a surface having a closed curve, such as a circle, as a directrix or base. The name cylinder is derived from the Latin cylindrus which in turn is derived from the Greek kulindros from kulindein, meaning to roll.

There are two types of typical circular cylinders: right circular cylinders and oblique circular cylinders. A right circular cylinder is a body consisting of two circular bases of equal area that are in parallel planes and are connected by a lateral surface that intersects the boundaries of the circular bases at right angles. An oblique circular cylinder is similar to a right circular cylinder...