Body Cavities Flashcards
Cavity
An empty space
Two major cavities
Dorsal and ventral
Dorsal cavity has two parts that are continuous with each other
Cranial and spinal
Cranial cavity
Formed by the skull to contain and protect the brain
Spinal (vertebral) cavity
Protects spinal cord in a bony cavity created by the vertebrae
Ventral cavity is lined by
Serous membrane to help reduce friction with the organs when they rub each other or the walls
Serous membrane is
Covered by serous fluid secreted by the epithelium
Ventral cavity has two cavities called
Thoracic and abdominopelvic
Thoracic Cavity
A space in the chest
Thoracic cavity has three parts
Pleural cavity, pericardial cavity and mediastinum
Pleura
Two layer membrane lining the thoracic cavity
Parietal pleura
Outer layer of the thoracic cavity’s serous membrane
Visceral Plera
Inner layer of the thoracic cavity’s serous membrane
Pleural cavity
Thin fluid filled space between the two pulmonary pleurae of each lung
Pericardial Cavity
Potential space formed between the two layers of serous pericardium around the heart
Mediastinum
Membranous partition between two body cavities or two parts of an organ
Mediastinum contains
Esophagus, trachea, thymus, glands, aorta, and inferior cava
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Space in the torso
Peritoneum
Serous membrane lining the Abdominopelvic cavity
Parietal peritoneum
Outer layer of the Abdominopelvic cavity’s serous membrane
Visceral peritoneum
Outer layer of the Abdominopelvic cavity’s serous membrane
Abdominal cavity includes
Lower esophagus, the stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and bladder; superior to pelvic cavity
Pelvic cavity includes
Bones of the pelvis, holds the urinary bladder, urethra, ureters, lower part of the large intestine, part of the small intestine, houses the female and some of the male reproductive organs; inferior to the abdominal cavity
