What does coronal and sagittal mean?

In the context of medicine and anatomy, coronal and sagittal are two important terms used to describe the orientation of anatomical structures and imaging planes.

1. Coronal:

- Referring to a plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.

- Coronal sections or images provide a front-to-back view of the body.

- In radiology, a coronal plane image shows the body as if you were standing in front of a person and looking at them.

2. Sagittal:

- Referring to a plane that divides the body into left and right sides.

- Sagittal sections or images provide a side-to-side view of the body.

- In radiology, a sagittal plane image shows the body as if you were standing next to a person and looking at them from the side.

These terms are frequently used in medical imaging, surgical procedures, and anatomical descriptions. By specifying whether a plane or image is coronal or sagittal, medical professionals can precisely communicate and understand the spatial orientation of anatomical structures.