Which anatomical plane is shown in the picture? & x20;

AIIMS Delhi NO - 2018

Applied Anatomy

Easy

Which anatomical plane is shown in the picture?

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO - 2018

The image shows a vertical plane dividing the body into left and right sections.
This specific orientation and division define the sagittal plane.
A sagittal plane that divides the body into two equal left and right halves is known as a midsagittal or median plane.
Any sagittal plane that is not on the midline is called a parasagittal plane.

Option A: The transverse plane is a horizontal plane that divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts. The plane in the image is vertical.
Option C: The coronal plane is a vertical plane, but it divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) parts. The image shows a left/right division.
Option D: The frontal plane is another name for the coronal plane. It divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections, not left and right as shown.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of Anatomical Planes as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding anatomical planes is fundamental for interpreting medical imaging studies like CT (Computed Tomography) scans, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and ultrasounds, which present 'slices' of the body in these specific planes.
Surgeons and other healthcare professionals use these planes as a reference to describe the location of organs, tumors, or injuries, and to plan surgical approaches.
What if the question showed a horizontal slice through the waist? The correct answer would then be the Transverse Plane, as it divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully examine the image to understand how the plane is oriented and how it divides the body.
Note the orientation of the plane: Is it vertical (up and down) or horizontal (side to side)? The plane in the image is vertical.
Next, determine the division created by the plane. Does it separate left from right, front from back, or top from bottom? The image shows a division into left and right portions.
Recall the definitions of the main anatomical planes: Sagittal (left/right), Coronal/Frontal (front/back), and Transverse (top/bottom).
Match your observation (a vertical plane dividing left and right) with the correct definition, which is the sagittal plane.
Eliminate the other options based on their definitions. Transverse is horizontal, and Coronal/Frontal divides front from back.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

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

Practise the full AIIMS Delhi NO - 2018

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