Which plane divides the body into upper and lower portions?

The correct answer is that the transverse plane divides the body into upper and lower portions. This anatomical plane runs horizontally across the body, creating a superior (upper) and inferior (lower) section. It is particularly important in various fields of medicine and anatomy, as it is often used in imaging techniques such as CT scans and MRIs to visualize the internal structures of the body in cross-sectional views.

In contrast, the sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions and is oriented vertically. The frontal plane, also known as the coronal plane, divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions and is also vertical but runs from side to side. The midsagittal plane is a specific type of sagittal plane that cuts the body into equal left and right halves. While each of these planes serves a vital purpose in understanding body structure and function, the transverse plane is the only one that specifically creates upper and lower portions of the body.