Planes of the Brain

To enable us to identify the precise location in the brain, both vertically and horizontally,
it is important to be familiar with certain technical terms used by the neuroscientists. In
terms of anatomy, the front of the brain, nearest the face, is referred to as the anterior end,
and polar opposite to the anterior end is the posterior end, referring to the back of the
head. Superior (sometimes called dorsal) refers to the direction toward the top of the
head, and inferior (sometimes called ventral) refers to the direction toward the neck/body.

In terms of reference planes, the sagittal plane divides the brain into left and right
portions, the coronal plane divides the brain into anterior and posterior portions, and the
axial (sometimes called horizontal) plane divides the brain into superior and inferior
portions.

In both the above contexts, we can further specify the location of a particular portion or
plane in terms of its position, direction, and depth in relation to the whole brain.
Likewise, for each of the planes themselves, we can further speak in terms of position,
direction, and depth in relation to the whole brain as well as in relation to the individual
planes.

Also, when representing brain parts and structures, a lateral view illustrates the section or
lobes, etc. from the perspective of a whole brain, whereas a medial view illustrates the
section in the dissected manner.