A vertical plane that divides the body or an organ into right and left sides:

Appeared in: NVS- 2025

Explanation

The sagittal plane is a vertical plane that runs longitudinally, dividing the body or an organ into right and left portions.
If this plane passes directly through the midline, creating two equal halves, it is specifically called a median or midsagittal plane.
Any sagittal plane that runs parallel to the midline but not through it is called a parasagittal plane.

Option A: This plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions, not right and left.
Option B: This is another name for the frontal plane and also divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.
Option D: This is a horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Anatomical Body Planes helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding anatomical planes is fundamental for healthcare professionals to accurately describe the location of structures, injuries, or pain.
These planes are essential for interpreting medical imaging studies like CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays, as images are often presented as 'slices' in one of these planes.
What if? - If a radiologist is describing a tumor located in the upper front part of the right lung, they would use these terms, for example: 'a mass located in the superior, anterior portion of the right lung, best visualized on coronal and sagittal views'.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key descriptive words in the question: 'vertical plane' and 'divides... into right and left sides'.
Next, recall the definitions of the main anatomical planes.
Evaluate each option: The Frontal/Coronal plane divides the body into front and back. The Transverse plane divides it into top and bottom.
The Sagittal plane is the only vertical plane that divides the body into right and left sides.
Therefore, select the option that matches this definition.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Physiology Ganong 27e Vol 2 Part 2 p. 109-111

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 45-47

E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 1 Part 1 p. 21-23

Practise the full NVS- 2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.