How do sagittal and coronal planes differ in anatomical orientation?

How do sagittal and coronal planes differ in anatomical orientation?

• A. Sagittal divides superior and inferior; coronal divides left and right
• B. Sagittal divides left and right; coronal divides anterior and posterior
• C. Sagittal divides anterior and posterior; coronal divides left and right
• D. Sagittal divides medial and lateral; coronal divides proximal and distal

Answer: (B)

Understanding planes of orientation comes down to what they split. A sagittal plane is a vertical slice that runs from front to back and divides the body into left and right portions (a midsagittal plane is the special case that splits into equal left and right halves). A coronal plane is also vertical but runs from side to side, separating the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions. So the description that sagittal divides left and right and coronal divides anterior and posterior is the accurate one. Other statements mix up directions—superior/inferior is a horizontal division, and proximal/distal relate to limb segments rather than a general plane.

Understanding planes of orientation comes down to what they split. A sagittal plane is a vertical slice that runs from front to back and divides the body into left and right portions (a midsagittal plane is the special case that splits into equal left and right halves). A coronal plane is also vertical but runs from side to side, separating the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions. So the description that sagittal divides left and right and coronal divides anterior and posterior is the accurate one. Other statements mix up directions—superior/inferior is a horizontal division, and proximal/distal relate to limb segments rather than a general plane.