Parasagittal planes are defined as which of the following?

• A. Planes at right angles to the sagittal plane and dividing the body into superior and inferior sections
• B. Vertical planes that pass through the body and divide it into anterior and posterior sections
• C. Vertical planes that are parallel to the median sagittal plane
• D. Vertical planes that pass through the center and divide the body into equal right and left halves

Answer: (B)

Parasagittal planes are vertical planes that run parallel to the sagittal plane but lie to one side of the midline. They divide the body into left and right portions, but unlike the midline (midsagittal) plane, they do not pass through the center, so the left and right sides aren’t necessarily equal. This distinguishes parasagittal planes from the midsagittal plane. For contrast, the coronal plane is a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the sagittal plane and separates anterior and posterior parts, while a horizontal or transverse plane divides the body into superior and inferior parts.