Sagittal plane
Sagittal plane[edit | edit source]
Sagittal plane is a vertical plane which passes from ventral (front) to dorsal (rear) dividing the body into right and left halves.
The sagittal plane is a fundamental plane of reference in anatomy and is essential for understanding the spatial orientation of anatomical structures. Its primary significance lies in its ability to divide the body into symmetrical left and right portions. This plane plays a critical role in diagnostic imaging procedures and anatomical studies, as it allows for a clearer view of structures situated along the midline of the body.
Anatomical Importance[edit | edit source]
The sagittal plane's division of the body into left and right halves allows medical professionals, researchers, and students to examine and describe locations of various structures in relation to the midline. This plane is also essential for understanding movements, such as flexion and extension, that occur in this direction.
Terms Related to the Sagittal Plane[edit | edit source]
- Midsagittal (or Median) Plane: This refers to the sagittal plane that divides the body precisely down the middle, creating two equal left and right halves.
- Parasagittal Plane: Refers to any sagittal plane that is offset from the midline, thus not dividing the body into equal halves.
Additional images[edit | edit source]
Applications in Medical Imaging[edit | edit source]
In diagnostic imaging, such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scans, sagittal views provide a side-view image of the body. This perspective is especially useful for visualizing the spinal column, brain structures, and other midline anatomical features.
Comparative Anatomy[edit | edit source]
While the concept of the sagittal plane is mainly applied to humans, it is also relevant in the study of other vertebrates. The sagittal plane's orientation may differ slightly depending on the posture and morphology of the animal in question.
See also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen