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Medical professionals often refer to sections of the body in terms of anatomical planes
(flat surfaces). These planes are imaginary lines - vertical or horizontal - drawn through
an upright body. The terms are used to describe a specific body part.
Coronal Plane (Frontal Plane)
A vertical plane running from side to side; divides the body or any of its parts into
anterior and posterior portions.
Sagittal Plane (Lateral Plane)
A vertical plane running from front to back; divides the body or any of its parts into right
and left sides.
Axial Plane (Transverse Plane)
A horizontal plane; divides the body or any of its parts into upper and lower parts.
Median plane
Sagittal plane through the midline of the body; divides the body or any of its parts into
right and left halves.
Cardinal Plane - The plane where the center of mass passes through. The three
cardinal planes in human body when he/she stands in the anatomical position frontal
plane, sagittal plane and the transverse plane
*Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane) - The plane that cuts you down your side. It
would cut you from your ear though your hip to your feet
Horizontal Plane - Any plane dividing the body into upper and lower portions,
perpendicular to the vertical plane
Oblique plane - Slanting plane that is not in any of the other planes
*Sagittal Plane (Lateral plane) - The plane that cuts right down the middle of
your body
Spinous Plane - Horizontal plane transecting the body at the level of anterior superior
iliac spine
Sternoxiphoid Plane - Horizontal plane transecting the body at the level of
xiphisternal joint
Subcostal Plane - Horizontal plane transecting the body at the level of lower margin
of the tenth rib
Suprasternal Plane - Horizontal plane transecting the body at the level of jugular
notch
Thoracic Plane - Horizontal plane transecting the body at the level of the fourth
intercostal space
Transpyloric Plane - Horizontal plane transecting the body at the level of the
eighth intercostal space
*Transverse Plane (Axial Plane) - Plane that cuts across your stomach. It would
cut you from one hip to the other
Umbilical Plane - Horizontal plane transecting the body at the level of the umbilicus
Vertical Plane - Any plane dividing the body into left and right portions, or front and
back portions, perpendicular to the horizontal plane