Body Planes and Sections Quiz

Anatomical Planes

• A median (midsagittal) plane divides the body into equal right and left halves, passing through the midline of the body.
• A transverse (horizontal) plane runs parallel to the surface of the ground, dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.
• A frontal (coronal) plane runs vertically from right to left, dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Sections

• A section implies an actual cut or slice to reveal internal anatomy.
• Organs are often sectioned to reveal their internal structure.
• A longitudinal section is a cut through the long axis of the organ.
• A transverse section is a cut at a right angle to the long axis.
• An oblique section is a cut made across the long axis at other than a right angle.

Body Cavities

• Body cavities are spaces within the body that contain, protect, separate, and support internal organs.
• The cranial cavity is formed by the cranial (skull) bones and contains the brain.
• The vertebral (spinal) canal is formed by the bones of the vertebral column (backbone) and contains the spinal cord.

Importance of Human Anatomy and Physiology

• The study of human anatomy and physiology is important for those who plan a career in the health sector.
• Knowing human anatomy and physiology allows us to understand how the body responds to a stimulus.
• It also provides the basis for understanding disease.

Structural and Functional Organization

• The body can be studied at six structural levels: chemical, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, and organism.
• The chemical level of organization involves interactions among atoms and their combinations into molecules.
• The function of a molecule is related to its structure.
• Cells are the basic structural and functional units of organisms.
• Cells have characteristics in common, such as containing the nucleus and mitochondria.
• Anatomy examines the relationship between the structure of a body part and its function.
• Physiology deals with the processes or functions of living things.

Human Anatomy and Physiology Example

• Eating a candy bar results in an increase in blood sugar (the stimulus).
• The pancreas secretes insulin (the response) to increase the movement of sugar from the blood into the cells, providing them with a source of energy.
• As glucose moves into cells, blood sugar levels decrease.

Test your understanding of the different body planes and sections used in anatomy. Learn about the characteristics and functions of sagittal, transverse, and frontal planes, as well as how they divide the body into distinct parts.