Body Planes

Body Planes

Imaginary planes that pass through the body in the anatomic position.

Sagittal Plane

Splits the body or a section of the body into right and left parts, running vertically from front to back.

Midsagittal Plane (MSP)

A specific sagittal plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves along the midline.

Coronal Plane

Separates the anterior and posterior segments of the body or body part, passing vertically from side to side.

Midcoronal Plane (MCP)

A specific coronal plane that divides the body into equal anterior and posterior halves along its midline.

Horizontal (Axial) Plane

Intersects the body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, separating upper and lower portions. Also called transverse, axial, or cross-sectional plane.

Oblique Plane

Traverses a body part at any angle among the sagittal, coronal, or horizontal planes.

Base Plane of the Skull

A transverse plane connecting the infraorbital margins to the superior margin of the external auditory meatus (EAM), also known as the Frankfurt horizontal plane.

Occlusal Plane

A horizontal plane formed by the biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth with jaws closed, used as a reference for cervical spine and skull radiography.

Interiliac Plane

Transects the top of the iliac crests at the level of the fourth lumbar spinous process, aiding in positioning the lumbar spine, sacrum, and coccyx.