Which plane is used for abduction of the arm to the side?

Which plane is used for abduction of the arm to the side?

• A. Frontal plane
• B. Sagittal plane
• C. Transverse plane
• D. Oblique plane

Answer: (A)

Movements are described by the plane in which they occur. Abduction of the arm to the side happens in the frontal (coronal) plane, which divides the body into front and back portions. When you lift the arm away from the body toward the side, the motion stays in that front-back division, increasing distance from the midline. The sagittal plane is for flexion/extension, the transverse plane for rotation, and the oblique plane covers mixed angles. So the sideward lifting of the arm is performed in the frontal plane.

Movements are described by the plane in which they occur. Abduction of the arm to the side happens in the frontal (coronal) plane, which divides the body into front and back portions. When you lift the arm away from the body toward the side, the motion stays in that front-back division, increasing distance from the midline. The sagittal plane is for flexion/extension, the transverse plane for rotation, and the oblique plane covers mixed angles. So the sideward lifting of the arm is performed in the frontal plane.