Body Planes in Anatomy

For the identification of specific areas, the body can be divided by imaginary flat surfaces or planes.

The midsagittal plane divides the left and right sides of the body lengthwise along the midline into externally symmetrical sections. If a longitudinal plane is placed off-centre and separates the body into asymmetrical left and right sections, it is called a sagittal plane. A frontal plane divides the body into asymmetrical anterior and posterior sections.

A transverse plane divides the body horizontally into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections. A transverse (or horizontal) plane is at right angles to the midsagittal, sagittal, and frontal planes. Transverse planes do not produce material halves.

The system of planes is also used with parts of the body, including internal parts. If your laboratory manual or any other refers a book for drawing of a sagittal section, frontal section, or a transverse section, you should be aware of what is actually being shown and how it relates to the corresponding plane. A cut that produces exposed surface of the head is called a midsagittal section. A cut along a frontal plane produces a frontal section.