Anatomy Practice Exam

What type of plane is the coronal/frontal plane?

1. Divides body into left and right sections

2. Divides body into anterior and posterior sections

3. Divides body into superior and inferior portions

4. Divides body into proximal and distal sections

The correct answer is: Divides body into anterior and posterior sections

The coronal or frontal plane is defined as the anatomical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. This division allows for viewing and analyzing the body from a forward-facing perspective or from behind. In practical terms, when observing a body in the coronal plane, you would see the face and chest in the anterior view, while the back and buttocks would be in the posterior view. This separation is essential for understanding the orientation and relationships of various structures within the body, especially in imaging techniques like MRIs and CT scans, where clear differentiation between front and back can assist in diagnosis and treatment planning. Other types of planes serve different purposes; for instance, the sagittal plane divides the body into left and right sections, while the transverse plane separates it into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections. The proximal and distal differentiation specifically relates to the position of structures relative to the center of the body or point of attachment, which is not relevant in defining the coronal plane. Hence, the coronal plane specifically pertains to the division into anterior and posterior sections, confirming the correctness of the answer.