Anatomical plane

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  Anatomical planes labeled

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  Anatomical plane

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  Anatomical plane

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  Anatomical plane

Anatomical plane

An anatomical plane is a hypothetical plane used to transect the human body, in order to describe the location of structures or the direction of movements. These planes are used in anatomy to provide a common point of reference for describing the human body.

Types of Anatomical Planes

There are three primary anatomical planes:

Sagittal Plane

The sagittal plane is a vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts. If the plane runs directly down the middle of the body, it is called the median plane or midsagittal plane. If it is offset from the midline, it is referred to as a parasagittal plane.

Coronal Plane

The coronal plane, also known as the frontal plane, is a vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. This plane is perpendicular to the sagittal plane and runs parallel to the coronal suture of the skull.

Transverse Plane

The transverse plane, also known as the horizontal plane or axial plane, divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts. This plane is perpendicular to both the sagittal and coronal planes.

Oblique Planes

In addition to the primary planes, there are oblique planes, which are any planes that do not align with the standard anatomical planes. These planes can be at any angle and are often used in medical imaging to provide a more comprehensive view of the body.

Importance in Medical Imaging

Anatomical planes are crucial in medical imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans, where images are often taken in slices along these planes. Understanding these planes allows healthcare professionals to accurately interpret images and diagnose conditions.

Related pages

• Anatomical terms of location
• Human anatomy
• Body cavity
• Medical imaging