Cavities & terminology

Question 1

Serous membrane/mesothelium

Answer 1

A continuous membrane layer that protects and lubricates the body cavities

Question 2

Parietal

Answer 2

Lining the boundaries or sides of the cavity

Question 3

Visceral

Answer 3

Lining the organs e.g. the pericardium

Question 4

Thoracic cavity

Answer 4

• The entrance is known as the Cranial Thoracic Inlet (Thoracic vertebrae, first ribs and manubrium)
• The exit is the diaphragm
• The left and right side is divided by the mediastinum
• It is a double layer of parietal pleura
• It contains the heart and portions of the aorta, trachea, oesophagus and the thymus

Question 5

Thoracic cavity - Boundaries

Answer 5

• Cranially the thoracic inlet
• Caudally the diaphragm
• Dorsally the thoracic vertebra
• Ventrally the sternum
• Laterally the ribs and intercostal muscles

Question 6

Function of the thoracic cavity

Answer 6

• To protect the organs and maintain thoracic pressure
• Organs: Heart, lungs, portions of oesophagus and the trachea
• Structures: Pleural cavities, mediastinum and diaphragm
• Pleura is the serous membrane covering the thoracic cavity
• Thoracic pressure = negative pressure to allow the lungs to fill

Question 7

Thoracic and pleural cavities

Answer 7

• Thoracic is divided into 2 cavities
• Pleural cavities contain the lungs and parietal pleural fluid
• The lungs are covered in visceral pleura, this is called pulmonary pleura (visceral pleura)
• In some animals this pleural cavity/pleural space can fill with other substances besides healthy lubricant - such as pus e.g. pyothorax

Question 8

Abdominal cavity

Answer 8

• Contains the stomach, liver, spleen, gall bladder, intestines, reproductive organs, kidneys, bladder
• It’s lined with a serous membrane called peritoneum
• This is a continuous sheet that forms the closed cavity (Peritoneal cavity)
• Peritoneal fluid lubricates to allow friction-free movement of organs and the peritoneum
• The peritoneum folds in itself and forms the mesentery

Question 9

Pelvic cavity

Answer 9

• No physical separation between the abdominal and pelvic cavities
• Contains the bladder, rectum and reproductive organs

Question 10

PREFIX - Tachy

Answer 10

Fast

Question 11

PREFIX - Brady

Answer 11

Slow

Question 12

PREFIX - Hypo

Answer 12

Below

Question 13

PREFIX - Hyper

Answer 13

Above

Question 14

PREFIX - Peri

Answer 14

Around

Question 15

PREFIX - Thorac

Answer 15

Thorax/chest

Question 16

PREFIX - Cysto

Answer 16

Bladder

Question 17

PREFIX - A/An

Answer 17

Without/absence

Question 18

SUFFIX - Cardia/o

Answer 18

Relating to heart/heart rate

Question 19

SUFFIX - Pnoea

Answer 19

Breathing

Question 20

SUFFIX - Phagia

Answer 20

Eating

Question 21

SUFFIX - Otomy

Answer 21

Incision of organs

Question 22

SUFFIX - Ectomy

Answer 22

Surgical removal of organs

Question 23

SUFFIX - Centesis

Answer 23

Puncture

Question 24

SUFFIX - Itis

Answer 24

Inflammation

Question 25

SUFFIX - Graph/gram

Answer 25

Record/write down