Which body plane divides the body into the anterior and posterior portions? (Hint: Remember the meaning of the prefixes ante- and post-.)

• A. Frontal
• B. Transverse
• C. Diagonal
• D. Sagittal

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the prefixes in the question. The prefix 'ante-' means 'before' or 'front,' and 'post-' means 'after' or 'back.' This helps identify which body plane divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) parts.
2. Step 2: Recall the main body planes: the sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions; the transverse plane divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions; the frontal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.
3. Step 3: Match the definition of the plane that separates anterior and posterior parts with the options given. Since 'anterior' and 'posterior' refer to front and back, the plane that divides these is the frontal plane.
4. Step 4: Eliminate other options based on their definitions: transverse divides top and bottom, sagittal divides left and right, and diagonal is not a standard anatomical plane.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct body plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions is the frontal plane.