Planes and Axis

The term body plane is defined as 'an imaginary flat surface running through the centre of gravity of the body', and is used to assist in the understanding of movement of body segments with respect to one another. Within each plane an axis can be identified in association with a particular joint about which the movement takes place.

Three imaginary planes:

• Frontal (coronal) plane: Divides body into front and back sections. Movement in this plane is abduction or adduction.
• Sagittal (median) plane:  A vertical plane which divides the body in the left and right sides…