In which plane does shoulder abduction occur?

In which plane does shoulder abduction occur?

• A. Frontal (coronal) plane
• B. Sagittal plane
• C. Transverse plane
• D. Oblique plane

Answer: (A)

Abduction of the shoulder occurs in the frontal (coronal) plane. This plane splits the body into front and back halves, so lifting the arm out to the side moves within that side-to-side orientation without causing forward flexion or rotation. In other words, raising the arm away from the body is a movement described by the frontal plane. Flexion and extension happen in the sagittal plane, while rotation is in the transverse plane, and the oblique plane represents a diagonal combination of movements.

Abduction of the shoulder occurs in the frontal (coronal) plane. This plane splits the body into front and back halves, so lifting the arm out to the side moves within that side-to-side orientation without causing forward flexion or rotation. In other words, raising the arm away from the body is a movement described by the frontal plane. Flexion and extension happen in the sagittal plane, while rotation is in the transverse plane, and the oblique plane represents a diagonal combination of movements.