What does the frontal plane (coronal plane) do in anatomical terms?

The frontal plane, also known as the coronal plane, is an anatomical term that specifically refers to a plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions. This plane runs vertically from side to side, allowing for movements and discussions of structures that are either in front of or behind other anatomical structures.

This understanding of the frontal plane is integral to various fields, including anatomy, physical therapy, and exercise science, as it assists in understanding how movements occur in the body. Movements such as side lunges or arm raises are analyzed using this plane because they primarily involve forward and backward motion relative to the front and back of the body.

The other options pertain to different anatomical planes. For instance, the option that refers to dividing the body into upper and lower parts describes the transverse plane, not the frontal plane. Similarly, dividing the body into left and right halves pertains to the sagittal plane, while the notion of dividing the body into inner and outer sections does not correspond to any standard anatomical plane and is more abstract. Thus, the definition of the frontal plane exclusively aligns with option C's description of dividing the body into front and back.