Anatomy and Physiology: Body Planes and Sections

Importance of Body Planes

• Used to visualize and understand the orientation of the body.
• Essential for healthcare professionals analyzing imaging from MRI and other devices.

Concept of Body Planes

• Imaginary flat surfaces resembling a glass rectangle dividing the body into two portions.
• Acronym SOFT to remember the types of body planes:
  • Sagittal
  • Oblique
  • Frontal
  • Transverse

Types of Body Planes

Sagittal Plane

• Orientation: Vertical, running from top to bottom.
• Division: Divides the body into left and right portions.
• Mnemonic: Sagittal suture on the skull divides into left and right sides.
• Subtypes:
  • Mid-sagittal (Median) Plane: Perfect division down the midline.
  • Parasagittal Plane: Off-center, not perfectly down the midline.

Oblique Plane

• Orientation: Any angle other than horizontal or vertical.
• Mnemonic: "Obliques are odd" (odd angles).
• Examples: Your oblique muscles come down at an angle.

Transverse Plane

• Orientation: Horizontal.
• Division: Divides the body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) halves.
• Mnemonic:
  • Prefix "trans" means across, like transatlantic flights.
  • "Horizontal" like the horizon.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

• Orientation: Vertical, running from top to bottom.
• Division: Divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.
• Mnemonic: "Frontal" plane leaves a front and back section.

Recap Using "Jane the Plane"

• Transverse Plane: Cuts the body into upper and lower portions (horizontal).
• Sagittal Plane:
  • Cutting into left and right sides.
  • Mid-sagittal: Perfectly down the middle.
  • Parasagittal: Off-center.
• Frontal Plane: Cuts the body into front and back sections (vertical).
• Oblique Plane: Random angle cuts, odd angles.

Additional Resources

• Free quiz available in the video description to test knowledge.
• Additional anatomy and physiology videos available in the playlist.