To help further understand and describe the anatomy, spine specialists often refer to specific body planes. A body plane is an imaginary flat, two-dimensional surface that is used to define a particular area of anatomy.

Frontal or Coronal Plane

Divides the front and back halves of the entire body.

Median or Sagittal Plane

Divides the left and right sides of the entire body.

Transverse or Axial Plane

Divides the body at the waist (top and bottom halves of the body).