What is the name of the plane that divides the body into top and bottom?

The transverse plane, also known as the horizontal plane, is the anatomical term used to describe a plane that divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) parts. This division occurs perpendicular to both the coronal and sagittal planes. Understanding the role of the transverse plane is crucial in fields such as medicine, anatomy, and forensics, as it provides a reference point for locating structures within the body and for describing movements that occur in relation to these divisions.

For instance, when using imaging techniques like CT or MRI, slices of the body are often taken along the transverse plane, allowing physicians to analyze the organs in segmented sections. This specificity aids in precise diagnosis and procedural planning, highlighting the clinical significance of understanding different anatomical planes.