Body cavities Flashcards
Outline the major body cavities, the organs they contain and their associated linings
What are body cavities?
Spaces that enclose, protect, separate and support internal organs
What are the two major cavities of the trunk?
- Thoracic cavity
- Abdominopelvic cavity
What are the other two major body cavities?
NB they are continuous with each other
- Cranial cavity
- Vertebral canal
What are the two types of cavity and one type of region contained within the thoracic cavity?
- Pericardial cavity
- Pleural cavities
- Mediastinum
What is the collective term for organs inside the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities?
Viscera
What surrounds the brain and spinal cord to protect them from damage?
- Three layers of meninges (protective tissue)
- Cerebrospinal fluid (shock-absorbing fluid)
What is and where is the mediastinum?
The central portion of the thoracic cavity extending from the sternum to the vertebral column and from the first rib to the diaphragm
What does the mediastinum contain?
All of the thoracic organs except for the lungs
1. Heart
2. Oesophagus
3. Trachea
4. Thymus
5. Large blood vessels of the heart
What separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity?
The diaphragm
Where is the abdominopelvic cavity?
From the diaphragm to the groin
What encircles the abdominopelvic cavity?
The abdominal muscular wall and the bones and muscles of the pelvis
What are the names of the two portions within the abdominopelvic cavity?
NB there is no wall separating them
- Abdominal cavity
- Pelvic cavity
Which six key organs does the abdominal cavity contain?
- Stomach
- Spleen
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Small intestine
- Large intestine (most of it)
Which three organs are contained in the pelvic cavity?
- Urinary bladder
- Large intestine (some of it)
- Internal organs of the genital systems
What is being described below?
A thin, pliable tissue that covers, lines, partitions or connects structures
A membrane
What type of membrane is associated with body cavities and does not open directly to the exterior of the body?
Serous membranes
What are the three parts of a serous membrane?
- The parietal layer - thin epithelium lining the cavities
- The visceral layer - thin epithelium lining the organs/viscera within the cavity
- The serous fluid within the potential space (the space between the two layers)
What is the name of the serous membrane of the pleural cavities?
The pleura (sing) / pleurae (pl)
What is the name of the serous membrane of the pericardial cavity?
The pericardium
What is the name of the serous membrane of the abdominal cavity?
The peritoneum
Are any abdominal organs not contained within the peritoneum?
Yes
They are said to be ‘retroperitoneal’
Which six abdominal organs/parts of abdominal organs are retroperitoneal?
- Kidneys
- Suprarenal glands
- Pancreas
- Duodenum of the small intestine
- Ascending and descending colons of the large intestine
- Portions of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava
