Let me know if there is any confusion or questions concerning this explanation.

The median or midsagittal plane is also sometimes called the lateral plane, and it passes through the sagittal suture. When you perform a situp, bend over to touch your toes, do biceps curls, knee extensions or leg curls, you are performing work in this plane.

I found this confusing. Can you please explain it.

^^^Of course, but which part of that is confusing?

I'll try to clarify in advance of your answer.

Sagital plane motions occur around a "frontal" or "coronal" axis. Ok, a frontal axis (this would the the same thing as the Z axis, btw, and the frontal plane itself corresponds to the YZ plane).

Imagine the frontal axis as a line drawn through the center of mass of the body, from right to left, and imagine that this is an axis that the body can move around. Now imagine that a somersault, like a diver would do, would be your body rotating around that axis. From back to front. Okay, so that somersault, happening around the frontal axis, is occuring in the sagittal plane (or median) plane. So all these movement occur in this plane as well:

• Hip: flexion and extension
• Shoulder: flexion and extension
• Knee: flexion and extension
• Ankle: dorsiflexion and plantar flexion

Sorry I wasn't more clear earlier.

Sagital plane motions occur around a "frontal" or "coronal" axis. Ok, a frontal axis (this would the the same thing as the Z axis, btw, and the frontal plane itself corresponds to the YZ plane).

Thanks for explaining this Eric, this was what was confusing me.

Yes, I see. Sometimes texts talk about movement in terms of an "axis" and some time in terms of anatomical planes so you have probably read about these movement occurring on the frontal axis, etc. The terminology is a mess and not everyone uses the same terms consistently, either.

The thing to remember is that movements take place around an anatomical axis and in an anatomical plane, and these are two different things.

The thing to remember is that movements take place around an anatomical axis and in an anatomical plane, and these are two different things.

I'll keep this in mind. This was I think the root of my confusion.