Anatomy and Physiology: Body Planes and Sections

Body planes and sections are essential concepts in understanding human anatomy and physiology, particularly for healthcare professionals analyzing medical images.

Key Concepts

• Body Plane: An imaginary flat surface dividing the body into sections, similar to a glass rectangle.
• Acronym SOFT:
  • Sagittal
  • Oblique
  • Frontal
  • Transverse

Types of Body Planes

1. Sagittal Plane

• Orientation: Vertical
• Division: Left and right portions
• Mnemonic: Sagittal suture on the skull divides it into left/right.
• Subtypes:
  • Mid-sagittal (Median) Plane: Divides the body perfectly down the midline.
  • Parasagittal Plane: Does not run down the midline.

2. Oblique Plane

• Orientation: Any angle other than horizontal or vertical
• Mnemonic: "Obliques are odd" – odd angles.
• Example: Oblique muscles are angled and located laterally to abdominal muscles.

3. Transverse Plane

• Orientation: Horizontal
• Division: Top (superior) and bottom (inferior)
• Mnemonic:
  • "Trans" means "across" (e.g., transatlantic flights).
  • Horizon as the horizontal boundary.

4. Frontal (Coronal) Plane

• Orientation: Vertical
• Division: Front (anterior) and back (posterior)
• Mnemonic: Frontal plane results in front/back sections.

Recap with "Jane the Plane"

• Transverse Plane: Cuts body into upper/lower portions.
• Sagittal Plane: Cuts body into left/right sides.
  • Mid-sagittal: Perfectly centered.
  • Parasagittal: Off-center.
• Frontal Plane: Divides into front/back sections.
• Oblique Plane: Random angles.

Additional Resources

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

Conclusion

Understanding body planes is crucial for medical imaging analysis and anatomical studies. The SOFT acronym is a useful memory aid to remember the four main body planes.