What are Transverse Planes?

Transverse planes are horizontal planes.

They slice through our body and separate it into sections through which veins, arteries, nerves, and other tubes pass.

The five transverse planes that I work with predominantly are:

  1. The tentorium & sphenoid in the skull about the level of your eyes separating the cerebellum  from the cortex

  2. The hard palate/tongue/oropharynx/jaw/base of skull separating the head from the neck

  3. The thoracic inlet/outlet at the shoulder level separating the neck from the chest

  4. The respiratory diaphragm separating the chest and abdomen

  5. The pelvic diaphragm separating the bottom of the pelvis from the open air beneath

These transverse planes are made of, or influenced by, fascia, dura, muscles, and bone.

These planes need to be in proper alignment and function adequately in order for everything going through them to work correctly, and in order for everything in the compartments above and below them to function correctly.

Transverse planes are critical points of transition in the body. Because they are points of transition, they are more vulnerable to having problems. Because they are critical to all other function, it is imperative to address them.

I generally begin by listening to the thoracic inlet/outlet transverse plane with my hand on the breastbone (sternum).

Within my model of care, this thoracic inlet/outlet plane is pivotal for all others because all fluids in the body drain here (or through here), and if fluid is not moving properly, no intervention can create persistent change.