Final answer:
The sagittal plane is the anatomical plane used for a lateral chest radiograph, as it divides the body into right and left portions and provides a side view of the chest.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct anatomical plane for a lateral chest radiograph is the sagittal plane. This is due to the fact that a lateral chest radiograph is designed to capture the side view of the chest, which effectively highlights the left-right anatomy in a vertical orientation. The sagittal plane divides the body into right and left portions. When a radiograph is taken along this plane, it provides a side view of the chest, which is essential for examining structures such as the lungs and the heart for any abnormalities.
While the other planes mentioned, such as the frontal (coronal) and transverse planes, are also used in medical imaging, they serve different purposes. The frontal plane would provide a front or back view of the body, separating anterior and posterior parts, while the transverse plane would give a cross-sectional view of the body, dividing it into upper and lower portions.