Body Cavities and their membranes Flashcards
Body cavities
Spaces located within the body that help to protect, seperate and support internal organs
Separated by bones, muscles and/or ligaments
Thoracic Cavitiy
Encircled by the ribs, muscles of the chest, sternum and the thoracic portion of the vertebral column
Cavities in the thoracic cavity
Pericardial
Pleural
Mediastinum
Pericardial Cavity
A fluid filled space that contains the heart
Pleural Cavities
Two fluid filled cavities on either side of the thoracic cavity each containing a lung
Mediastinum
Central position of the thoracic cavity, lies between lungs, extends from the ribs(front) to vertebral column (back) and occupies space from the first rib (top) to the diaphragm (bottom)
Abdominopelvic cavity
Extends from the diaphragm (top) to the groin(bottom)
Surrounded by the abdominal wall and the bones and muscles of the pelvic
Cavities in Abdominopelvic cavity
Abdominal
Pelvic
Abdominal cavity
Located inferior to the diaphragm and superior to the pelvic cavity
Contains stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, small intestines and most of the large intestine
Viscera
All organs located within both the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
Serous Membranes
Thin, slippery, double layered membranes that cover the viscera of the thoracic and abdominal cavities
Parts of serous membranes
Parietal layer
Visceral layer
Serous fluid
Parietal layer
Lines wall of cavity (outside)
Visceral layer
Attaches to outside of organs within the cavity (inside)
Serous fluid
Reduces the friction between the two layers allowing the viscera to slide around to some degree during body movement
