Chap 2, Study Section 3

Question 1

abdominal cavity

Answer 1

Space below the chest containing organs such as the liver, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines;p also called the abdomen.

Question 2

cranial cavity

Answer 2

Space in the head containing the brain and surrounded by the skull. Cranial means pertaining to the skull.

Question 3

diaphragm

Answer 3

Muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The diaphragm moves up and down and aids in breathing.

Question 4

dorsal (posterior)

Answer 4

Pertaining to the back.

Question 5

mediastinum

Answer 5

Centrally located space outside of and between the lungs.

Question 6

pelvic cavity

Answer 6

Space below the abdomen containing portions of the intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, and reproductive organs. Pelvic means pertaining to the pelvis, composed of the hip bones surrounding the pelvic cavity.

Question 7

peritoneum

Answer 7

Double-folded membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity.

Question 8

pleura

Answer 8

Double-folded membrane surrounding each lung. Pleural means pertaining to the pleura.

Question 9

pleural cavity

Answer 9

Space between the pleural layers.

Question 10

spinal cavity

Answer 10

Space within the spinal column (backbones) containing the spinal cord. Also called the spinal canal.

Question 11

thoracic cavity

Answer 11

Space in the chest containing the heart, lungs, bronchial tubes, trachea, esophagus, and other organs.

Question 12

ventral (anterior)

Answer 12

Pertaining to the front.

Question 13

Peritoneum and Other Membranes

Answer 13

Many vital organs are covered and protected by membranes. The peritoneum surrounds abdominal viscera (liver, small and large intestines, stomach), the pleura covers the lungs, the periosteum protects bones, and the meninges are membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Question 14

Pleural/Plural

Answer 14

Don’t confuse pleural, which refers to the membranes surrounding the lungs, with plural, which means more than one!