Body Cavities Flashcards
Dorsal body cavity
Posterior, divided into cranial and vertebral cavities
Ventral body cavity
Anterior, divided into thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities
Cranial cavity
Contains the brain
Vertebral cavity
Encloses the spinal cord
Thoracic cavity
Consists of superior mediastinum, pleural cavity, and the pericardial cavity
Mediastinum
Contains heart, part of the esophagus, trachea, and the thymus gland
Pleural cavity
Contains the lungs
Abdominal cavity
Contains many organs of digestion
Pelvic cavity
Contains the urinary bladder, terminal portion of the large intestine, and some reproductive organs
Serous cavity
Filled with serous fluid, fluid lets organs slide and rub without damage
Pericardial cavity
Space between 2 layers of serous pericardium; holds pericardial fluid
Pleural cavity
Space between the 2 pleura filled with pleural fluid
Peritonual cavity
Filled with peritonual fluid produced by the layers of serous membrane