Dorsal & Ventral Body Cavity & Abdominopelvic Regions and Quadrants Flashcards
What is a cavity?
A space that is enclosed and protects internal organs.
What is the dorsal body cavity?
It is a body cavity that houses the nervous system and it has two subdivisions
What are the two subdivisions of the dorsal body cavity?
Cranial cavity (contains brain), Spinal cavity (contains spine)
Why is the dorsal body cavity named “dorsal?”
Due to the fact that dorsal means posterior which is where the brain and spinal cord are found
What is the ventral body cavity?
A much larger body cavity compared to dorsal and houses more organs
How many subdivisions are in the ventral body cavity? What are the names of the subdivisions?
Two subdivisions; Thoracic cavity & Abdominopelvic cavity
What is the difference between the two subdivisions in the ventral body cavity?
Thoracic cavity is superior to the abdominopelvic cavity
What is the ventral body cavity known to house?
Viscera; these are the internal organs of that ventral cavity.
What structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity?
Diaphragm
What is the thoracic cavity further divided into?
More cavities
What cavities are found in the thoracic cavity?
Pleural cavity and pericardial cavity
What organs are in the thoracic cavity?
Heart, lungs, esophagus, trachea, thymus
What is the thoracic cavity surrounded by?
Ribs and muscles of the chest
What is the mediastinum?
It contains the pericardial cavity and other thoracic organs such as the esophagus, trachea, etc.
What are the two regions of the mediastinum?
Superior and Inferior Mediastinum
What is the abdominopelvic cavity
Inferior to the thoracic cavity, it houses organs such as the intestines, reproductive organs, liver, etc.
What organs are found in the abdomen?
Stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, etc.
What organs are found in the pelvic region?
Urinary bladder & reproductive organs.
What is a serous membrane/serosa?
It is a thin double layer membrane that covers the surface of organs and the walls of the ventral body cavity
How many sections are there to the Serosa?
Three sections
What are the names of the sections of the serous membrane?
Parietal serosa, visceral serosa, & cavity
What is the purpose of the parietal serosa?
It’s the part of the membrane lining the cavity walls; basically the outside layer of protection
What is the purpose of the visceral serosa?
It’s the inner layer of protection protecting the organs in the double layer membrane & it comes from the parietal serosa folding in on itself.
What is serous fluid?
Thin lubricating fluid that is found in the cavity and secreted by both membranes
