Learning Objective: By the end of this session, the learner will be able to define the major anatomical planes, describe their orientations, and apply them to clinical and imaging scenarios.
Overview
Anatomical planes are imaginary flat surfaces used to describe the location, orientation, and sectioning of structures within the human body.
They are defined with the body in the standard anatomical position and serve as the foundation for:
- describing movement
- interpreting medical imaging
- anatomical dissection
- communicating clinical findings
The three primary planes are sagittal, coronal, and transverse.
1. Sagittal Plane
The sagittal plane is a vertical plane that runs longitudinally through the body, dividing it into:
- Left portion
- Right portion
Median (Midsagittal) Plane
A special sagittal plane that runs exactly along the midline, dividing the body into equal left and right halves.
2. Coronal Plane
The coronal (frontal) plane is also vertical, but it is oriented perpendicular to the sagittal plane. It divides the body into:
- Anterior (front)
- Posterior (back)
This plane is frequently used in imaging, especially MRI and CT.
3. Transverse Plane
The transverse plane is a horizontal plane, perpendicular to both the sagittal and coronal planes.
It divides the body into:
- Superior (upper)
- Inferior (lower)
Also called:
- Axial plane
- Transaxial plane
It is the most common orientation in CT and MRI imaging for cross-sectional anatomy.
