Transverse plane

The transverse plane (also known as the horizontal plane, axial plane and transaxial plane) is an anatomical plane that divides the body into superior and inferior sections. It is perpendicular to the coronal and sagittal planes.

Transverse plane
The main anatomical planes of the human body, including median (red), paramedian (yellow), frontal or coronal plane (blue) and transverse or axial plane (green)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	plana transversalia
TA98	A01.2.00.006
TA2	52
FMA	12247 71928, 12247
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

• The transverse thoracic plane
  • Plane through T4 & T5 vertebral junction and sternal angle of Louis.
  • Marks the:
    • Attachment of costal cartilage of rib 2 at the sternal angle;
    • Aortic arch (beginning and end);
    • Upper margin of SVC;
    • Thoracic duct crossing;
    • Tracheal bifurcation;
    • Pulmonary trunk bifurcation;
• The xiphosternal plane (a.k.a. xiphosternal junction)
  • Anterior, inferior limit of thoracic cavity;
  • Marks the:
    • Superior surface of the liver;
    • Respiratory diaphragm;
    • Inferior border of the heart;
• The transpyloric plane
  • Plane located halfway between the jugular notch and the upper border of the symphysis pubis;
  • Typically located at the lower border of L1;
  • Cuts through the pylorus and the tips of the ninth costal cartilages;
• The subcostal plane
  • Transverse plane through the inferior border of costal margin;
  • Typically located at the superior border of L3, or transects L3;
• The umbilical plane (or transumbilical plane)
  • Located at the level of L3/L4 vertebral junction or IV disc;
• The supracristal plane
  • Located at the level of L4;
  • Marks bifurcation of aorta;
  • Most superior aspect of iliac crest;
• The intertubercular plane (a.k.a. Transtubercular plane)
  • Located at the level of L5;
  • Marks origin of IVC;
• The interspinous plane
  • Transverse plane which transverses the anterior superior iliac spines.
  • Typically located at the level of S1.