Which are the standard orientations used in MRI imaging?

• A. oblique, transverse, frontal
• B. axial, sagittal, coronal
• C. lateral, anterior, posterior
• D. proximal, distal, medial

Answer: (B)

The question tests understanding of the standard imaging planes used to describe MRI slices. In MRI, three fundamental planes are used: axial (horizontal slices that divide the body into upper and lower parts), sagittal (vertical slices that separate left from right), and coronal (vertical slices that separate front from back). These planes are favored because they align with the body’s axes and provide clear, consistent localization of anatomy and pathology. Note that some terms you might see are synonyms for these planes—axial is the same as transverse, and coronal is the same as frontal—but the standard trio used for describing routine MRI slices is axial, sagittal, and coronal. The other choices mix directional terms or angled (oblique) planes, which are not the standard set.