How were pendentives used to combine a dome with a basilica?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pendentives are triangular sections of a sphere that help distribute the weight of a dome evenly down to the walls of a building. In combining a dome with a basilica, pendentives are used to transition from the circular base of the dome to the rectangular or square shape of the basilica by creating four arches or triangle shapes that can support the dome. Thus, they distribute the weight of the dome and enable it to be included in a basilica structure.

How Were Pendentives Used to Combine a Dome with a Basilica