What planes and axes are
- A plane is an imaginary flat surface that divides the body. An axis is an imaginary line that the body or a body part rotates around.
- Movements happen in a plane and around an axis at right angles to it.
The three planes and axes
- Sagittal plane, around the frontal axis: divides the body into left and right. Movements are flexion and extension, such as running, walking, a squat or a front somersault.
- Frontal plane, around the sagittal axis: divides the body into front and back. Movements are abduction and adduction, such as a star jump or a cartwheel.
- Transverse plane, around the longitudinal axis: divides the body into top and bottom. Movements are rotations, such as a full twist jump, a golf swing or a discus throw.
Using them in exam answers
- Name the plane and axis together: "a front somersault happens in the sagittal plane about the frontal axis".
- Link the movement to the plane: flexion and extension go with the sagittal plane; abduction and adduction with the frontal plane; rotation with the transverse plane.
Key terms
- Plane
- An imaginary flat surface that divides the body into two parts.
- Axis
- An imaginary line around which the body rotates.
- Sagittal plane
- Divides the body into left and right; flexion and extension happen in it.
- Frontal plane
- Divides the body into front and back; abduction and adduction happen in it.
- Transverse plane
- Divides the body into top and bottom; rotation happens in it.
- Longitudinal axis
- A line running from head to toe, around which the body twists.