Can you describe a prism for me?

Prisms are solids (three-dimensional figures) that, unlike planar figures, occupy space. They come in many shapes and sizes. Every prism has the following characteristics:
  • Bases: A prism has two bases, which are congruent polygons lying in parallel planes.
  • Lateral edges: The lines formed by connecting the corresponding vertices, which form a sequence of parallel segments.
  • Lateral faces: The parallelograms formed by the lateral edges.

A prism is named by the polygon that forms its base, as follows:

  • Altitude: A segment perpendicular to the planes of the bases with an endpoint in each plane.
  • Oblique prism: A prism whose lateral edges are not perpendicular to the base.
  • Right prism: A prism whose lateral edges are perpendicular to the bases. In a right prism, a lateral edge is also an altitude.