Which of the following planes divides the body longitudinally into anterior and posterior regions?
A. Frontal plane
B. Sagittal plane
C. Midsagittal plane
D. Transverse plane
Correct Answer: A. Frontal plane
Frontal or coronal plane runs longitudinally at a right angle to a sagittal plane dividing the body in anterior and posterior regions. The coronal plane or frontal plane (vertical) divides the body into dorsal and ventral (back and front, or posterior and anterior) portions. An anatomical plane is a hypothetical plane used to transect the body, in order to describe the location of structures or the direction of movements.
Option B: A sagittal plane runs longitudinally dividing the body into right and left regions. The sagittal plane or lateral plane (longitudinal, anteroposterior) is a plane parallel to the sagittal suture. It divides the body into left and right.
Option C: If exactly midline, it is called a midsagittal plane. The midsagittal or median plane is in the midline; i.e. it would pass through midline structures such as the navel or spine, and all other sagittal planes (also referred to as parasagittal planes) are parallel to it. Median can also refer to the midsagittal plane of other structures, such as a digit.
Option D: A transverse plane runs horizontally at a right angle to the vertical axis, dividing the structure into superior and inferior regions. The transverse plane or axial plane (horizontal) divides the body into cranial and caudal (head and tail) portions.