Body Planes in Anatomy and Physiology

Understanding body planes is crucial for healthcare professionals, especially when analyzing images from MRI or other imaging devices. These planes help in visualizing the body in different sections.

Major Body Planes

• Sagittal Plane

  • Divides the body into left and right portions.
  • Named after the sagittal suture on the skull.
  • Midsagittal (Median) Plane: Perfectly divides the body down the midline.
  • Parasagittal Plane: Any sagittal plane not perfectly down the midline.

• Oblique Plane

  • Any plane that is not vertical or horizontal.
  • Think of oblique muscles; these are at odd angles.

• Frontal (Coronal) Plane

  • Divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.
  • Runs vertically from top to bottom.

• Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

  • Divides the body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) portions.
  • Think of the horizon; the only horizontal dividing plane.

Mnemonic Device

• SOFT
  • Sagittal
  • Oblique
  • Frontal
  • Transverse

Recap with Practical Examples

• Transverse Plane: Cuts the body into upper and lower portions.
• Sagittal Plane: Creates left and right sides.
  • Midsagittal: Perfect down the middle.
  • Parasagittal: Off-center.
• Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Creates front and back sections.
• Oblique Plane: Random or odd angles.

Additional Resources

• Free quiz available to test knowledge on body planes.
• More anatomy and physiology videos available in the provided playlists.