Anatomical Planes - Podcast Version 0:00 / 0:00 1x 0.25x 0.5x 0.75x 1x 1.25x 1.5x 1.75x 2x The anatomical planes are hypothetical planes used to describe the location of structures in human anatomy. They are applied to the human body in the anatomical position. In this article, we shall look at the anatomical planes in more detail – in particular, the three most commonly used planes: sagittal, coronal and transverse. Pro Feature - 3D Model You've Discovered a Pro Feature Access our 3D Model Library Explore, cut, dissect, annotate and manipulate our 3D models to visualise anatomy in a dynamic, interactive way. Learn More Sagittal Plane The sagittal plane is a vertical plane which passes through the body longitudinally. It divides the body into a left section and a right section. A specific sagittal plane is the median sagittal plane – which passes down the midline of the body, separating it into equal halves. By Connexions (http://cnx.org) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons Fig 1The anatomical planes of the human body. Coronal Plane The coronal plane is a vertical plane which also passes through the body longitudinally – but perpendicular (at a right angle) to the sagittal plane. It divides the body into a front (anterior) section and back (posterior) section. Transverse Plane The transverse plane is a horizontal plane. It is perpendicular to both the sagittal and coronal planes, and parallel to the ground. It divides the body into an upper (superior) section and a lower (inferior) section. Transverse planes are also known as transaxial planes or axial planes. <a href="https://pulseradeducation.com"> Pulse Radiology Education</a> Fig 2MRI scan of the cerebrum, demonstrating the three anatomical planes. Left to right: Sagittal, coronal and transverse. Do you think you’re ready? Take the quiz below Pro Feature - Quiz Anatomical Planes Question 1 of 3 Submitting... Skip Next Rate question: You scored 0% Skipped: 0/3 1800 More Questions Available Upgrade to TeachMeAnatomy Pro Challenge yourself with over 1800 multiple-choice questions to reinforce learning Learn More Frequent questions What are the anatomical planes used for in human anatomy? The anatomical planes are theoretical divisions that help describe the location of structures in the human body. They are particularly useful when referencing the body in the anatomical position. What is the sagittal plane and how does it divide the body? The sagittal plane is a vertical plane that runs longitudinally through the body, splitting it into left and right sections. The median sagittal plane specifically divides the body into equal halves along the midline. How does the coronal plane differ from the sagittal plane? The coronal plane is also a vertical plane, but it is oriented perpendicular to the sagittal plane. It separates the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. What is the definition of the transverse plane in anatomy? The transverse plane is a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to both the sagittal and coronal planes. It divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections. What are the alternative names for the transverse plane? The transverse plane is also referred to as transaxial planes or axial planes. These terms highlight its horizontal orientation and its role in dividing the body into upper and lower sections. Rate This Article