Sagittal

Sagittal refers to a plane or section that divides a bilaterally symmetrical organism into right and left halves. The term is derived from the Latin word "sagitta", meaning "arrow". The sagittal plane is one of the three main planes used to describe the location of body parts in relation to each other.

Anatomical Terminology

In anatomy, the sagittal plane is a vertical plane that divides the body into left and right. This plane is parallel to the median plane, which is the midline of the body. The term "sagittal" is often used to refer to a direction or orientation in the body, similar to "anterior" (front) and "posterior" (back).

Sagittal Plane in Medical Imaging

In medical imaging, the sagittal plane is used to create two-dimensional images of the body. This is particularly useful in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, where it allows for detailed views of the body's internal structures.

Sagittal Plane in Movement

In the study of biomechanics, the sagittal plane is important for understanding movement. Movements in the sagittal plane include flexion and extension, such as bending forward and backward.

See Also

• Anatomical terms of location
• Coronal plane
• Transverse plane

References

Sagittal Resources
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