What is the name of the horizontal plane that divides the body into a top half and a bottom half?

The horizontal plane that divides the body into a top half and a bottom half is known as the transverse plane. This anatomical division allows for the analysis of structures located above or below this plane, facilitating various types of medical imaging and examinations. The transverse plane is also essential in surgical procedures and for understanding human anatomy and physiology as it relates to different body positions or movements.

The midsagittal plane, in contrast, divides the body into right and left halves, while the coronal and frontal planes create anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections of the body. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for professionals in health fields to accurately describe locations and orientations of body parts.