What structure do the terms "frontal" and "coronal" refer to?

The terms "frontal" and "coronal" pertain to a specific plane of reference in anatomical terminology. The frontal plane, also known as the coronal plane, divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions. This division is crucial in various fields, including anatomy, surgery, and imaging, as it helps professionals describe locations and movements of structures in relation to one another.

When discussing anatomy, understanding the position of structures within these planes enables clearer communication about their orientation and arrangement. This plane differs significantly from others, such as the transverse plane, which divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions, or the sagittal plane, which separates the body into medial (toward the midline) and lateral (away from the midline) portions. The concept of proximal and distal pertains to the location of structures along the limbs relative to their point of attachment to the trunk, which is not related to the anterior-posterior division represented by the frontal or coronal plane.