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Which plane of the body splits it into right and left sides?

  1. Coronal

  2. Median

  3. Sagittal

  4. Transverse

The correct answer is: Sagittal

The correct choice is the sagittal plane. This anatomical plane divides the body into right and left sections. More specifically, the midsagittal plane runs directly down the center of the body, creating two equal halves. Any other sagittal planes that are off-center are referred to as parasagittal planes, which still create right and left sections but do not split them equally. Understanding this is essential in fields like anatomy and physical therapy, where differentiating body orientation can influence diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of bodily movements. The coronal plane, for example, divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections, while the transverse plane cuts the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions. Therefore, when considering the definition and function of these planes, the sagittal plane stands out as the correct answer in relation to dividing the body into right and left sides.