Clinically relevant anatomical planes • Transverse
thoracic plane (also
plane of Louis) •
Xiphosternal plane (or xiphosternal junction) •
Transpyloric plane •
Subcostal plane •
Umbilical plane (or transumbilical plane) •
Supracristal plane •
Intertubercular plane (or transtubercular plane) •
Interspinous plane Associated structures , using the
vertebral column and
rib cage as main reference points of surface anatomy. The
transpyloric plane is given near center. • The transverse
thoracic plane • Plane through T4 & T5 vertebral junction and
sternal angle of Louis. • Marks the: • Attachment of costal cartilage of rib 2 at the sternal angle; •
Aortic arch (beginning and end); • Upper margin of
SVC; •
Thoracic duct crossing; •
Tracheal bifurcation; •
Pulmonary trunk bifurcation; • The
xiphosternal plane (a.k.a.
xiphosternal junction) • Anterior, inferior limit of
thoracic cavity; • Marks the: • Superior surface of the
liver; •
Respiratory diaphragm; • Inferior border of the
heart; • The
transpyloric plane • Plane located halfway between the jugular notch and the upper border of the
symphysis pubis; • Typically located at the lower border of L1; • Cuts through the
pylorus and the tips of the ninth
costal cartilages; • The
subcostal plane • Transverse plane through the inferior border of
costal margin; • Typically located at the superior border of L3, or transects L3; • The
umbilical plane (or transumbilical plane) • Located at the level of L3/L4 vertebral junction or IV disc; • The
supracristal plane • Located at the level of L4; • Marks
bifurcation of aorta; • Most superior aspect of
iliac crest; • The
intertubercular plane (a.k.a. Transtubercular plane) • Located at the level of L5; • Marks origin of
IVC; • The
interspinous plane • Transverse plane which transverses the anterior superior
iliac spines. • Typically located at the level of S1. ==Engineering usages==