Which anatomical plane divides the body into right and left portions?

The anatomical plane that divides the body into right and left portions is known as the mid-sagittal plane. This plane runs vertically down the center of the body, effectively splitting it into two halves, one side representing the right side and the other representing the left side.

In anatomy, the mid-sagittal plane is important for understanding human body orientation, movement, and various medical imaging techniques. Other planes, while serving unique purposes, do not create this specific division. For example, the frontal plane (also known as the coronal plane) divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. The transverse plane divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions. The oblique plane cuts through the body at an angle, resulting in a complex section that cannot be strictly classified as right and left.

Thus, the mid-sagittal plane is essential for discussions of symmetry and lateralization in the body, making it the correct answer to the question regarding what separates the body's right and left portions.