Chapter 1: Body Planes & Cavities

what are the sectional planes?

frontal (coronal) plane

sagittal plane

transverse plane

what is the frontal / coronal plane?

divides body into anterior and posterior portions

what is a frontal / coronal section?

a cut in the frontal / coronal plane

what is the sagittal plane?

vertical line that divides the body into left and right portions

only plane that is identical to one another

* think “tt” for being identical

what is a sagittal section?

a cut in the sagittal plane

what is the midsagittal and parasagittal plane?

midsagittal plane lies in the middle of the body

parasagittal plane is offset from the middle of the body

what is the transverse plane?

horizontal line that divides body into superior and inferior portions

think T for superior portion and V for inferior portion

what is a transverse section?

a cut in the transverse plane

what are the functions of body cavities?

protects organs from shocks and impacts

permits significant changes in size and shape of internal organs (lungs and hearts are lubricated)

what is the ventral body cavity?

thoracic cavity (heart and lungs) and abdominopelvic cavity (urinary and sexual) divided by the diaphragm

what do the body cavities contain?

contains viscera, which are internal organs

what is the serous membrane (serosa)?

two layers that lines. body cavities and covers organs

consists of parietal and visceral layers

what are the parietal and visceral layers?

parietal serosa lines cavity

visceral serosa covers organs

what cavities are located in the thoracic cavity?

pleural cavity

pericardial cavity

what is the right and left pleural cavities?

right and left lungs

what are the portions of the mediastinum?

upper portion filled with blood vessels, trachea, esophagus, and thymus

lower portion contains pericardial cavity

what is the pericardial cavity?

two layers that contains the heart

what cavities are located in the abdominopelvic cavity?

peritoneal cavity

abdominal cavity

pelvic cavity

what is the peritoneal cavity?

chamber within the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the parietal and visceral peritoneum

what is the parietal and visceral peritoneum?

parietal peritoneum lines internal body wall

visceral peritoneum covers organs

what is the abdominal cavity

superior portion from the diaphragm to top of pelvic bones

contains digestive organs

what is the pelvic cavity?

inferior portion that is medial to pelvic bones

contains reproductive organs, rectum, and bladder