Q. Are body planes important for identifying anatomical structure?
In order to observe and study structural arrangement of the internal organs, body may be divided and sectioned (or cut) along three fundamental planes. These planes are midsagittal (median) plane, coronal (frontal) plane and transverse (horizontal) plane. Midsagittal plane divides the body lengthwise into left and right sides. A sagittal section placed off-center divides the body into asymmetrical left and right sides. Coronal plane divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections. Transverse planedivides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections. It is at right angles to the frontal and sagittal planes.