Flexion/extension, forward/backward bending, and dorsiflexion/plantarflexion belong to which plane?

• A. Horizontal plane movements
• B. Sagittal plane movements
• C. Transverse plane movements
• D. Frontal plane movements

Answer: (B)

Movements described fall in the sagittal plane, which divides the body into left and right portions. Flexion and extension are the classic actions that decrease or increase the angle between bones in a joint, and both forward bending and backward bending occur when the body or limb curves in that left–right (sagittal) direction. Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot are also motions that occur in this same plane, moving the foot up and down around the ankle. In contrast, movements in the frontal plane would involve side-to-side motions like abduction/adduction, and the transverse plane would involve rotation.