What is the axial (transverse) plane?

• A. Divides the upper (superior) and lower (inferior)
• B. Divides the front and back
• C. Divides the left and right halves
• D. Runs vertically through the body

Answer: (A)

The axial (transverse) plane runs horizontally through the body and is perpendicular to the long axis, so it divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions. This is why cross‑sectional views taken across the torso or head slice the body into top and bottom parts. In contrast, the front/ back division is the frontal (coronal) plane, the left/right division is the sagittal plane, and vertical orientations describe other longitudinal planes. So the axial plane’s defining feature is creating a top vs. bottom separation.