Anatomical Body Sections and Planes Quiz

This anatomical body sections and planes quiz will test your knowledge on the sections of the body in human anatomy, as well as the body planes.

It’s important to know these body sections and planes, as they will help provide you with a point of reference when discussing the human body.

This quiz is part of an anatomy and physiology review, so don’t forget to check out the other reviews.

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Anatomical Body Sections and Planes Quiz

1. A plane that separates the body or structure into upper and lower parts is called a

a. sagittal plane

b. transverse plane

c. oblique plane

d. frontal plane

The answer is b, transverse plane. Remember that transverse planes travel “across” the body in a horizontal direction, dividing it into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts. This is the only type of horizontal plane.

2. A plane that separates the body into a front (anterior) and back (posterior) part is called a

a. sagittal plane

b. transverse plane

c. oblique plane

d. frontal plane

The answer is d, frontal plane. Remember that anterior means toward the front. Frontal planes, also called coronal planes, run vertically (top to bottom) and divide the body into anterior and posterior sections.

3. A plane that separates the body or structure into right and left parts down the body’s midline is called a:

a. midsagittal plane

b. median plane

c. parasagittal plane

d. answers a and b

The answer is d, which includes answers a and b. A sagittal plane is any plane that runs vertically and separates the body or structure into a right and left part. Sagittal planes that run down the exact midline of the body are called midsagittal planes or median planes. You can remember this plane by visualizing the sagittal suture on the skull. Parasagittal planes divide the body into uneven parts.

4. A plane that separates the body into parts that are neither perfectly vertical nor horizontal is called a

a. oblique plane

b. transverse plane

c. coronal plane

d. frontal plane

The answer is a, oblique plane. Oblique planes can be any angle other than a perfect 90 degree angle. You can remember this by remembering that “obiques are odd” angles that are neither vertical nor horizontal. Also, your oblique muscles come down at an angle toward your abdominal muscles.

5. Which option below provides the best summary of the four types of body planes?

a. Two are vertical, one is horizontal, and one is any odd angle.
b. Two are horizontal, one is vertical, and one is any odd angle.
c. All planes are horizontal.
d. All planes are vertical.

The answer is a, two are vertical (frontal and sagittal), one is horizontal (transverse), and one is any odd angle (obliques). Remember the acronym “soft” to remember the four major body planes.

6. A plane that runs from top to bottom (vertical), dividing the body into unequal left and right parts is called a:

a. midsagittal plane

b. median plane

c. parasagittal plane

d. coronal plane

The answer is c, parasagittal plane. A parasagittal plane is any plane that divides the body into left and right sides that are unequal. A sagittal plane that divides the body right down the midline is called a midsagittal plane or median plane.

7. Frontal planes are also called

a. coronal planes

b. axial planes

c. horizonal planes

d. oblique planes

The answer is a, coronal planes.

8. Transverse planes can also be called

a. horizontal planes

b. coronal planes

c. longitudinal planes

d. oblique planes

The answer is a, horizontal planes. Remember, this is the only plane that is horizontal.

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