Body Cavities

Question 1

What are Body cavities?

Answer 1

Spaces within the body usually occupied with visceral(soft internal) organs that are lined with serous membranes and fluid for lubrication and ease of movement.

Question 2

The main Dorsal and Ventral Body Cavities?

Answer 2

Dorsal(externally):
-cranial (brain)
-spinal (spinal cord)

Ventral(internally):
-thoracic
-abdominal
-pelvic

Question 3

Demarcation (boundaries) of body cavities?

Answer 3

Diaphragm(main muscle around lungs): key that divides thoracic and abdominal cavities.

THORACIC
-cranial to diaphragm
-ventral to thoracic vertebrae
-within ribs and sternum

ABDOMINAL
-caudal to diaphragm
-cranial to pelvic inlet
-ventral to lumbar vertebrae
-within muscles of abdominal wall

PELVIC
-bonded cranially by pelvic inlet
-caudally by pelvic aperature (+ anus)
-dorsally by sacrum
-ventrally by pelvic floor

Question 4

Thoracic Cavity Features?

Answer 4

Shape: laterally(side of body) flattened cone.
-entrance: cranial thoracic inlet
-1st thoracic vertebrae
-1st pair of ribs
-manubrium (upper part of sternum)

Boundaries:
-Dorsal: thoracic vertebrae, hypaxial muscles
-Lateral: ribs, intercostal muscle
-Ventral: sternum
-Caudal: diaphragm

Muscle Walls:
-vertebrae/ribs covered (latissmus dorsi, external abdominal)
-ventral covered by pectoral muscle

Question 5

Abdominal + Pelvic cavity features?