Final answer:
The purpose of body planes is to aid in directional terms for medical professionals, particularly important to medical assistants for clear communication and understanding of anatomy during procedures. They include the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of body planes is c) To aid in directional terms, which are crucial in the medical field for accurately describing the locations of body structures. Knowledge of body planes is fundamentally important for a medical assistant, as it enables clear communication with other healthcare professionals, particularly in surgical procedures and medical imaging. The three planes most commonly used in the study of anatomy are the sagittal, frontal (or coronal), and transverse plane. These planes help to standardize the way in which parts of the body are viewed and discussed, ensuring consistency in medical diagnosis and treatment.
Body cavities such as the posterior (dorsal) and the anterior (ventral) body cavities are essential in protecting internal organs and allowing for their movement and changes in size, such as the expansion and contraction of the lungs or the heart. The serous membrane is a structure that lines these cavities, contributing to the protection and smooth operation of these organs.
In the study of anatomy and physiology, it is also critical to relate the form of the structures to their function to fully understand the human body. The directional terms, such as inferior, posterior, and superficial, are applied to the body in relation to these planes, aiding in the precise communication about where structures are located and how they may be affected by disease processes or treatment protocols.