Anatomical structures are frequently described and illustrated from a sectional prospective. There are three basic topographical planes: Sagittal, Frontal, and Transverse:

• A sagittal plane divides the long axis of the body into right and left sections.
  A sagittal plane along the midline is the midsagittal plane.
  A sagittal plane to the right or left of midline is a parasagittal plane.
• A transverse plane divides the body into top and bottom sections.
• A frontal plane divides the long axis of the body into front and back sections.

Figure 1

Topographical planes of the human figure with arms in the anatomical position