nuchal plane

plane (plān)

1. a flat surface determined by the position of three points in space.

2. a specified level, as the plane of anesthesia.

3. to rub away or abrade; see planing.

4. a superficial incision in the wall of a cavity or between tissue layers, especially in plastic surgery, made so that the precise point of entry into the cavity or between the layers can be determined.

Planes of the body, with subject in the anatomical position.

Planes of the trunk.

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axial plane  one parallel with the long axis of a structure.

base plane  an imaginary plane upon which is estimated the retention of an artificial denture.

coronal planes  frontal p's.

Frankfort horizontal plane  a horizontal plane represented in profile by a line between the lowest point on the margin of the orbit and the highest point on the margin of the auditory meatus.

frontal planes  those passing longitudinally through the body from side to side, at right angles to the median plane, dividing the body into front and back parts.

horizontal plane 

1. one passing through the body, at right angles to both the frontal and median planes, dividing the body into upper and lower parts.

2. one passing through a tooth at right angles to its long axis.

median plane  one passing longitudinally through the middle of the body from front to back, dividing it into right and left halves.

nuchal plane  the outer surface of the occipital bone between the foramen magnum and the superior nuchal line.

occipital plane  the outer surface of the occipital bone above the superior nuchal line.

orbital plane 

1. the orbital surface of the maxilla.

2. visual p.

sagittal planes  vertical planes passing through the body parallel to the median plane (or to the sagittal suture), dividing the body into left and right portions.

temporal plane  the depressed area on the side of the skull below the inferior temporal line.

transverse plane  one passing horizontally through the body, at right angles to the sagittal and frontal planes, and dividing the body into upper and lower portions.

vertical plane  one perpendicular to a horizontal plane, dividing the body into left and right, or front and back portions.

visual plane  one passing through the visual axes of the two eyes.

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nuchal plane

n.

The external surface of the squamous part of the occipital bone giving attachment to the muscles of the back of the neck.

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plane

1. a flat surface determined by the position of three points in space.

2. a specified level, as the plane of anesthesia.

3. to rub away or abrade. See also planing and plastic surgery.

4. a superficial incision in the wall of a cavity or between tissue layers, especially in plastic surgery, made so that the precise point of entry into the cavity or between the layers can be determined.

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coronal plane

frontal plane, an ambiguous term when applied to quadrupeds and bipeds.

dorsal plane

any plane passing longitudinally through the body from side to side, at right angles to the median plane and dividing the body into dorsal and ventral parts. Called also coronal plane, frontal plane.

horizontal plane

one passing through the body at right angles to the median plane, and dividing the body into upper and lower parts.

inclined plane

an intraoral acrylic or metal appliance used in orthodontics to guide a tooth into a new position by using pressure applied when the mouth is closed normally. Commonest use is to move canines laterally.

median plane

one passing longitudinally through the body from front to back and dividing it into right and left halves.

nasal plane

the space between the nostrils.

nasolabial plane

the extension of the nasal plane between the nostrils into the upper lip in cattle.

nuchal plane

the flat surface at the back of the occipital bone below the nuchal crest.

rostral plane

the bare area on the dorsum of the snout of the pig.

sagittal plane

a vertical plane through the body parallel to the median plane (or to the sagittal suture) and dividing the body into left and right portions.

transverse plane

one passing through the body, at right angles to the sagittal and dorsal planes, and dividing the body into cranial and caudal portions.

vertical plane

one perpendicular to a horizontal plane, dividing the body into left and right, or front and back portions.