ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography) Practice Test

Which imaging plane divides the body into left and right portions?

1. Coronal plane

2. Transverse plane

3. Sagittal plane

4. Axial plane

The correct answer is: Sagittal plane

The imaging plane that divides the body into left and right portions is the sagittal plane. This plane runs vertically from the head to the feet and separates the body into left and right halves. It can be further classified into the mid-sagittal plane, which specifically divides the body into equal left and right parts, and the para-sagittal plane, which separates the body into unequal left and right portions. The coronal plane, by contrast, divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. The transverse plane, also known as the horizontal plane, cuts across the body horizontally, creating upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections. The axial plane is another term often used synonymously with the transverse plane, and it also does not contribute to separating the body into left and right sections. Understanding these different anatomical planes is crucial for accurate imaging and interpretation in medical sonography.