Human Anatomy: Medical School Crash Course

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Sagittal section The sagittal section is a cut made along the lengthwise, or longitudinal, plane of the body, dividing the body into left and right parts. When made along the midline it can be referred to as midsagittal. A midsagittal section divides the left and right parts evenly. Frontal section A frontal section is a cut made along a lengthwise plane that divides the body or structure into anterior and posterior parts. It is also referred to as a coronal section. Transverse section A transverse section is a cut made along a horizontal plane, which divides the body into superior and inferior parts. It is also referred to as a cross-section.

Body cavities The body has two sets of internal cavities that offer different degrees of protection to the organs and structures within them. Figure 2 shows the two major body cavities:

Figure 2 4


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