Body Cavities Flashcards
two main body cavities
ventral and dorsal
dorsal cavity
Divided into spinal cavity and cranial cavity. The cranial cavity is formed by skull and contains brain. The spinal cavity is formed by the spine and contains the spinal cord. The meninges are the membranes that line these cavities and also cover brain and spinal cord. THe dorsal cavity is continuous; no wall or structure separates cranial and spinal cavities.
ventral cavity
Divided into thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity. The thoracic cavity is separated from the abdominopelvic cavity by the diaphragm. The thoracic cavity contains heart and lungs. The abdominopelvic cavity is separated into abdominal and pelvic cavities. The abdominal cavity contains the liver. stomach, intestines and kidneys. The pelvic cavity contains urinary bladder and reproductive organs.