Planes and Sections

Sectioning

the process of cutting the body

Plane of section

The direction in which the cut is made

transverse plane

horizontal division of the body into upper and lower portions

Cranial cavity

contains the brain

spinal cavity

contains the spinal cord

Meninges

three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord

ventral body cavity

thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities