What is the term for dividing the body into equal right and left halves?

The term for dividing the body into equal right and left halves is the median plane, also known as the midsagittal plane. This anatomical reference plane runs vertically down the center of the body, precisely through the midline, ensuring that each side is a mirror image of the other. This plane is crucial in various medical and anatomical contexts, such as when discussing movements or injuries that occur on either side of the body.

In contrast, the coronal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. The transverse plane, often referred to as the horizontal plane, cuts the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts. These alternative planes serve different purposes in anatomical descriptions but do not create equal right and left halves, which is the defining characteristic of the median plane.