Lesson
Anatomical Reference Planes and Axes
Cardinal Planes – 3 mutually perpendicular, imaginary planes dividing the body in half, by mass
Sagittal Plane – plane in which forward and backward movements of body/segments occur
Frontal/Caudal Plane – plane in which lateral movements of body/segments occur
Transverse Plane – plane in which horizontal movements of body/segments occur (when erect)
A human body segment rotates around an imaginary axis of rotation which passes through the joint to which it is attached:
Mediolateral Axis – Imaginary line around which sagittal plane rotations occur
Anteroposterior Axis – Imaginary line around which frontal plane rotations occur
Longitudinal Axis – Imaginary line around which transverse plane rotations occur