define midsagittal
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/midsagittal+plane
The term "midsagittal" refers to an anatomical plane or section that divides the body or an organ into equal left and right halves. It is also known as the median sagittal plane.
To understand the concept of the midsagittal plane better, imagine standing upright with your arms down by your sides. If an imaginary line is drawn vertically from the top of your head down through the middle of your body, dividing it into left and right halves, that line represents the midsagittal plane.
Now, to determine the location of the midsagittal plane in a more precise way, you need to visualize the sagittal plane first. The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right parts but does not necessarily pass through the midline.
To find the midsagittal plane accurately, you can use anatomical landmarks. Start by visualizing the sagittal plane that passes through the midline of your body. In anatomical terms, this plane typically aligns with the structures of the skull, vertebral column, and spinal cord.
For example, to locate the midsagittal plane of the brain or head, imagine two sagittal planes that are parallel to each other. Draw a line from the center of the forehead (the glabella) to the back of the head (the occipital protuberance). This line will intersect with the midsagittal plane, dividing the brain or head into left and right halves.
In medical imaging or dissections, the midsagittal plane is often used to examine symmetry and determine the position and relationship of internal structures.