Planes & Sections

🔹 Core Concept: Planes & Sections

Term: What are planes and sections?
Definition: A concept of how we cut the body to produce two different sections or two sides to that cut.

Term: Planes
Definition: Imaginary flat surfaces that pass through the body that we use to produce different sections.

Term: Sections
Definition: The surfaces that are able to be viewed after we've cut along a particular plane.

Term: How many major planes do you need to know?
Definition: Three major planes.

Term: What is the fourth plane that is not often used?
Definition: The oblique plane.

🔴 Sagittal Plane

Term: Sagittal plane
Definition: An imaginary vertical line that runs through the body to produce a left and a right side.

Term: What does the sagittal plane divide the body into?
Definition: A left and a right side.

Term: Mid sagittal plane
Definition: A sagittal section taken down the dead centre midline of the body, producing two equal halves.

Term: Para-sagittal plane
Definition: A sagittal section taken slightly off to one side of the midline, producing two unequal halves.

Term: What determines whether a sagittal plane is mid or para?
Definition: Whether it runs directly down the midline or slightly to the left or right of it.

Term: What viewpoint do you get from a sagittal section?
Definition: A side view of internal structures.

🟢 Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Term: Transverse plane
Definition: A plane that runs on the horizontal axis through the body.

Term: What does the transverse plane divide the body into?
Definition: A top and a bottom section, or a superior and inferior section.

Term: Another name for the transverse plane
Definition: Horizontal plane.

Term: What does a transverse section of the chest show?
Definition: A cross section of the left and right lungs looking upwards from underneath.

Term: How does a transverse viewpoint differ from a sagittal viewpoint?
Definition: It gives a completely different perspective of the internal structures.

🔵 Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Term: Frontal plane
Definition: A plane that divides the body into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (back) portion.

Term: Another name for the frontal plane
Definition: Coronal plane.

Term: What does the frontal plane produce when cut?
Definition: A front and a back section, or a ventral and dorsal section.

Term: What structures can you see clearly in a frontal chest section?
Definition: The entirety of the left and right lung and a cross-section of the ribs.

Term: If a frontal section is taken toward the front of the skull, what structures are visible?
Definition: More anterior structures such as the eyes.

Term: If a frontal section is taken further back, what structures are visible?
Definition: More posterior structures such as the cerebellum and brain stem.

🟣 Oblique Plane

Term: Oblique plane
Definition: A plane that runs obliquely or diagonally through the body on an angle.

Term: Why is the oblique plane not often used?
Definition: It is quite complex and difficult to visualise and appreciate what you're looking at.

🧠 Application / Identification Cards

Term: A vertical cut producing equal left and right halves is called?
Definition: Mid sagittal plane.

Term: A horizontal cut dividing the body into superior and inferior portions is called?
Definition: Transverse plane.

Term: A vertical cut dividing anterior and posterior portions is called?
Definition: Frontal (coronal) plane.

Term: A sagittal cut slightly off the midline produces what?
Definition: Two unequal halves (para-sagittal plane).

Term: Which plane would show both lungs fully from a front-facing internal view?
Definition: Frontal (coronal) plane.

Term: Which plane would show a cross section of the lungs from underneath?
Definition: Transverse plane.