Final answer:
The nave is the central aisle, the transept is the perpendicular arm giving the cross shape, the apse is at the far end often housing the altar, and the narthex is the entrance area of a Latin-cross-plan church.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terms used to describe the elements of a Latin-cross-plan church relate to its architectural layout, which is designed to symbolize the crucifix and manage the flow of pilgrim traffic.
The central aisle is known as the nave, derived from the Latin word for ship, and represents the body of the church leading up to the altar.
The area perpendicular to the nave is called the transept and it gives the church its cross-like shape.
At the far end of the church, opposite the main entrance, is the apse, a semi-circular or polygonal termination, often where the altar is located and which may contain radiating chapels. These chapels are found in the ambulatory, the walkway that allows pilgrims to circulate around the apse.
Additionally, the church may have aisles on either side of the nave, providing a passageway for visitors. The entrance area of the church is the narthex, which leads into the nave. Overall, this layout of a church, also known as a pilgrimage church, is designed not only for worship but also to accommodate the movement and activities of large numbers of pilgrims.