A sagittal plane divides right from left, a coronal plane divides front from back, and a transverse plane divides upper from lower. The questions below test those distinctions, including the difference between sagittal and midsagittal.

Review the three planes

  • A sagittal plane divides right and left portions. A midsagittal, or median, plane passes through the midline; a parasagittal plane is offset from it.
  • A coronal plane, also called frontal, divides anterior and posterior portions.
  • A transverse plane divides superior and inferior portions, or upper and lower in anatomical position.

A plane is the imaginary surface; a section is the cut surface produced along it. These definitions follow OpenStax’s anatomical terminology chapter.

Six practice questions

Try each question before opening the answer. The first three ask you to name a plane; the last three ask you to explain a distinction.

  1. A plane separates anterior from posterior portions. Name it.

    Show answer 1

    Coronal, also called frontal. Identify the separated portions: front and back.

  2. A plane divides the body into right and left portions but misses the midline. Which specific term fits?

    Show answer 2

    Parasagittal. It is sagittal, but not midsagittal.

  3. A section separates superior and inferior portions. Which plane produced it?

    Show answer 3

    Transverse. “Upper and lower” is the relevant pair in anatomical position.

  4. “Every sagittal plane is a median plane.” Correct the sentence.

    Show answer 4

    Every median plane is sagittal, but sagittal planes can also lie away from the midline.

  5. A student says “frontal and coronal are different planes.” What should change?

    Show answer 5

    Frontal and coronal are two names for the same plane.

  6. Is “vertical plane” enough information to choose between sagittal and coronal?

    Show answer 6

    No. Both are vertical in anatomical position. Ask which portions the plane separates.

Plane relationships and synonyms were also checked against Kenhub’s body-planes reference. The practice prompts and explanations above were written for this guide.

Review anatomical directional terms with practice questions if the paired terms are unfamiliar. For a broader practice routine, use our anatomy lab practical study guide.