Body Cavities (and related terms)

Question 1

Cranial Cavity

Answer 1

Located in the head, surrounded by skull. Contains brain and other organs, like pituitary gland.

Question 2

Spinal cavity (Dorsal)

Answer 2

Space surrounded by spinal column (backbones). Contains spinal cord.

Question 3

Spinal cord

Answer 3

Nervous tissue within the spinal cavity. Nerves enter and leave the spinal cord, carrying messages to and from the body.

Question 4

Spinal column

Answer 4

Row of bones from neck to tailbone. Each bone is called a vertebra (two or more bones are vertebrae).

Question 5

Disc/disk

Answer 5

Piece of flexible connective tissue that lies in between each vertebra. Composed of cartilage, cushion between bones. Disk slips can press on nerves.

Question 6

Thoracic cavity (chest cavity) (ventral)

Answer 6

Surrounded by breastbone and ribs. Contains the lungs, heart, trachea, bronchial tubes, and other organs. Surrounded by double membrane known as pleura; space between membranes is the pleural cavity.

Question 7

Pleura

Answer 7

Double membrane surrounding the lungs

Question 8

Pleural cavity

Answer 8

Space between pleural membranes

Question 9

Mediastinum

Answer 9

Area between the lungs containing heart, esophagus, trachea, and bronchial tubes.

Question 10

Abdominal cavity

Answer 10

Space below thoracic cavity. Diaphragm separates abdominal and thoracic cavities. Contains the stomach, liver, gallbladder, and small and large intestines.

Question 11

Peritoneum

Answer 11

Membrane surrounding organs in abdomen. Attaches abdominal organs to abdominal muscles.

Question 12

Pelvic cavity (ventral)

Answer 12

Below abdominal cavity. Surrounded by pelvis (hip bones). Contains the urinary bladder, ureters, urethra, rectum, anus, and uterus (in natal females).

Question 13

Pelvis

Answer 13

Hip bones