Anatomical Planes & Sections - Online Tutor, Practice Problems & Exam Prep

Anatomical planes are imaginary lines that divide the body into sections for study. The four major planes include the frontal plane, which separates anterior and posterior; the sagittal plane, dividing left and right sides, with midsagittal and parasagittal variations; the transverse plane, separating superior and inferior; and the oblique plane, which cuts at an angle. Each plane corresponds to specific anatomical sections, aiding in understanding body structure and function, essential for fields like anatomy and physiology.

Anatomical Planes

As you learn anatomy, of course, the body is this highly complex three-dimensional structure. But we often look at representations of the body that are in 2 dimensions. So we often divide the body along 2 dimensional planes, and that's for dissection, imaging, diagrams, whatever. These planes by which we divide the body, we call anatomical planes, and we're going to have some very specific ways that we refer to them. Anatomical planes are just these imaginary lines used to divide the body. We're going to have 4 major planes that we're going to learn now. Three of them just cut along the x, y, and z axes, and then the fourth one is just a little bit of a wild card. So let's go through them now one by one. First up, we have the frontal plane. The frontal plane divides the anterior and posterior. So here we have an anatomical model and you can see the frontal plane kind of divides him, his front from his back. And you can remember the frontal plane because if you look at the plane, the frontal plane, you're looking at it from the front. The frontal plane shows the front.

Next, we're going to have a sagittal plane. The sagittal plane divides the left and right sides of the body. And if you look at this anatomical model in this diagram, you see that this plane is going sort of right down through his nose, front to back, separating his two sides. Now we're going to have 2 varieties of this sagittal plane. First, we have what we see in the diagram. That's a midsagittal plane. Midsagittal plane, that prefix mid, it goes through the midline, right through the nose, right through the belly button, etc. Now if it's not on that midline, you have a parasagittal plane. So a parasagittal plane divides the body left and right, but not in perfect halves. So we just say here, not on the midline. Now our way to remember a sagittal plane, a sagittal plane separates the sides of the body. And if you're to look at a sagittal pl

What type of plane is shown in the image to the right?

• A. Transverse.
• B. Frontal.
• C. Sagittal.
• D. Oblique.

You are asked to draw a plane that intersects only one leg. What type of plane could you draw?

• A. Transverse.
• B. Frontal.
• C. Parasagittal.
• D. Both A and C.

Imagine a plane through the leg. If the shape formed where the leg intersects the plane is roughly a circle, what type of plane could make that shape?

• A. Transverse.
• B. Frontal.
• C. Sagittal.
• D. both A and C could be correct depending on where the plane crosses the leg.

 Imagine you are a doctor. You suspect your patient has an enlarged thyroid, so you order the following MRI scan of the neck. The image that was taken represents what type of section?

• A. Frontal.
• B. Transverse.
• C. Sagittal.
• D. Oblique.

The CT scan on the right represents what type of section?

• A. Frontal. 
• B. Parasagittal.
• C. Sagittal.
• D. Transverse.

What type of section does this MRI show and how do you know?

• A. Frontal because the front of the face can be identified. 
• B. Parasagittal because the eye, which is not on the centerline, is visible.
• C. Midsagittal because it's from the side and we can see the middle of the head.
• D. Transverse because the head is near the top of the body.

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What are the four major anatomical planes and their functions?

The four major anatomical planes are the frontal, sagittal, transverse, and oblique planes. The frontal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections, aiding in the study of front and back structures. The sagittal plane splits the body into left and right sides, with the midsagittal plane cutting through the midline and the parasagittal plane cutting off-center. The transverse plane separates the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts, useful for examining top and bottom structures. The oblique plane cuts at an angle, providing unique cross-sections not aligned with the standard axes.

How do anatomical sections correspond to anatomical planes?

Anatomical sections are created by cutting the body along anatomical planes. A frontal section results from a cut along the frontal plane, showing a view from the front. A sagittal section, cut along the sagittal plane, provides a side view, with midsagittal sections cutting through the midline and parasagittal sections cutting off-center. A transverse section, made along the transverse plane, offers a top-down view, often appearing circular or oval. Oblique sections, cut at an angle, produce unique cross-sections that are not aligned with the standard x, y, or z axes.

What is the difference between midsagittal and parasagittal planes?

The midsagittal plane divides the body into equal left and right halves by cutting through the midline, passing through structures like the nose and belly button. In contrast, the parasagittal plane also divides the body into left and right sections but does so off-center, not along the midline. This results in unequal halves. Both planes are types of sagittal planes, but the midsagittal plane is specifically aligned with the body's midline, while the parasagittal plane is not.

Why is the oblique plane considered a 'wild card' among anatomical planes?

The oblique plane is considered a 'wild card' because it does not align with the standard x, y, or z axes like the frontal, sagittal, and transverse planes. Instead, it cuts the body at an angle, producing sections that are not perpendicular to the main anatomical planes. This angled cut can provide unique views and cross-sections of the body, which are particularly useful in certain medical imaging techniques and anatomical studies where standard planes do not suffice.

How can you identify a transverse section in anatomical images?

A transverse section can be identified in anatomical images by its characteristic top-down view, often appearing circular or oval. This section is created by cutting along the transverse plane, which separates the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts. Key features to look for include the presence of vertebrae in the back and internal organs in the front, viewed from above. The transverse plane's horizontal cut makes it distinct from the vertical cuts of the frontal and sagittal planes.