What anatomical plane divides the body into left and right halves?

The correct answer divides the body into left and right halves is commonly known as the midline. The midline serves as a reference point in anatomy that runs down the center of the body, bisecting it into the left and right sections. It allows for understanding of bilateral symmetry, which is an important concept in anatomy and physiology, as many structures and systems in the body have paired counterparts on either side of this line.

The sagittal plane, while it also refers to sections that create left and right aspects of the body, is more broadly defined as any vertical plane that divides the body into these halves, rather than the specific reference line known as the midline. On the other hand, the frontal plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections, making it distinct from the division into left and right. The transverse plane separates the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts, which is yet another form of division and does not pertain specifically to the left and right configuration. Understanding these distinctions clarifies how the midline functions as the precise anatomical reference for halving the body symmetrically.