Cavity/ canal diagram definitions

Cranial cavity

Formed by cranial bones and contains brain.

Vertebral canal

Formed by vertebral column and contains spinal cord and the beginnings of spinal nerves.

Thoracic cavity

Chest cavity; contains pleural and pericardial cavities and the mediastinum.

Pleural cavity

A potential space between the layers of the pleura that surrounds a lung.

Pericardial cavity

A potential space between the layers of the pericardium that surrounds the heart.

Mediastinum

Central portion of thoracic cavity between the lungs; extends from sternum to vertebral column and from first rib to diaphragm; contains heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and several large blood vessels.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Subdivided into abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal cavity

Contains stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and most of the large intestine; the serous membrane of the abdominal cavity is the peritoneum.

Pelvic cavity

Contains urinary bladder, portions of large intestine, and internal organs of reproduction.