Sagittal plane

The sagittal planes are in anatomy those planes, perpendicular to the ground and at right angles to the frontal planes, which divide the body into halves (left and right). The anatomical term sagittal was coined by Gerardo de Cremona.

Median plane and paramedian planes

Medium shot

The median plane (also called the sagittal and median plane, midsagittal, medial, or median , T.A. (Anatomical Terminology): planum medianum) is a special sagittal plane that, being perpendicular to the ground, passes exactly through the middle of the body, dividing it into two equal parts, right and left.

Paramedian plane

The paramedian planes or parasagittal planes (T.A.: paramedian plane) are any sagittal plane that is not the midsagittal plane, that is, that be parallel to it.

Positions towards the median plane are called towards medial, and positions away from it are called towards lateral.

Ipsilateral

refers to elements on the same side of the body with respect to the median plane.

Contralateral

are elements on opposite sides of the median plane.

Bilateral

are elements present on both sides of the median plane.

Sagittal line

The sagittal line or sagittal section is a reference line that theoretically crosses the body in the middle and center, like an imaginary plumb line. The sagittal line helps in the distinction of members or elements on the "left side" or "right side", but for example, in the case of the human body, it is also applicable to determine what is "in front" or "behind". This line of reference or division is more common and visible on studies or schemes in two dimensions, but it is a reference applicable to three dimensions. Using a sagittal line, two views (anterior and posterior) of a muscle can be illustrated.

Media and lateral

Medial and lateral are terms to define the situation of a structure in relation to another, with respect to a sagittal plane.

Media

For example, the aorta is located more medially than the left kidney means that the aorta is located closer to the midsagittal plane than the kidney.
In the uterine tube, the sector of the isthmus is more medial than that of the ampulla.

Sideback

The kidney is located more lateral than the aorta means that the kidney is located further from the midsagittal plane than the aorta. In the uterine tube, the ampulla sector is more lateral than the isthmus sector.