Anatomic Planes of Reference

Question 1

Sagittal plane:

Answer 1

A plane that runs the length of the body and divides it into left and right parts that are not necessarily equal halves

Question 2

Median plane

Answer 2

A special kind of sagittal plane that runs down the center of the body lengthwise and divides it into equal left and right halves. It could also be called a midsagittal plane, but that term is not commonly used.

Question 3

Transverse plane

Answer 3

A plane across the body that divides it into cranial (head-end) and caudal (tail-end) parts that are not necessarily equal

Question 4

Dorsal plane

Answer 4

A plane at right angles to the sagittal and transverse planes. It divides the body into dorsal (toward the animal’s back) and ventral (toward the belly) parts that are not necessarily equal. If an animal stands in water with its body partially submerged, the surface of the water describes a dorsal plane.