Body Axes
Longitudinal Axis: Vertical (along the length of
the body). It has two poles: superior (cranial) and inferior
(caudal).
Sagittal Axis: Anteroposterior (along the thickness
of the body). It has two poles: anterior and posterior.
Transverse Axis: Horizontal (along the width of the
body). It has two poles: left and right.
Body Planes (each passing through two axes):
Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Vertical and parallel to
the forehead. It divides the body into two asymmetrical parts:
anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal).
Sagittal Plane: Vertical and perpendicular to the
frontal plane. It passes through the longitudinal and sagittal axes.
The midsagittal plane is the plane of bilateral symmetry, dividing
the body into two symmetrical halves: right and left.
Transverse (Axial/Horizontal) Plane: Horizontal and
perpendicular to both the frontal and sagittal planes. It divides
the body into two asymmetrical parts: superior (cranial) and
inferior (caudal).