Types of Cross Sections in Medical Imaging
Overview
The planes dividing the human body can be categorized into three types based on their orientation: coronal plane, sagittal plane, and axial plane. Distinguishing these planes is crucial, especially in medical imaging, as the information derived from an image can significantly vary depending on the plane it is associated with.
Description
In the descriptions below, it is assumed that the human body is standing on the ground.
Coronal Plane
A plane that is perpendicular to the ground and divides the body into front and back is called the coronal plane.
Sagittal Plane
A plane that is perpendicular to the ground and divides the body into left and right is called the sagittal plane. This is the plane seen in the “brain structure” meme.
Axial Plane
A plane that is parallel to the ground and divides the body into upper and lower sections is called the axial plane.