Body cavities

Body Cavities

Hollow spaces within the body that are filled with visceral organs.

Visceral

Relating to internal organs housed within body cavities.

Membranes

Thin, pliable sheets or structures of tissues or cells that line body cavities.

Dorsal Cavities

Cavities located at the posterior aspect of the body, including the cranial and vertebral cavities.

Cranial Cavity

A dorsal cavity that houses the head and brain.

Vertebral Canal

A cavity that houses the spine.

Ventral Cavities

Cavities located towards the front of the body, including the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

A ventral cavity that contains the lungs and heart.

Pleural Cavity

The cavity that houses the lungs.

Mediastinum

The region in the thoracic cavity that houses the esophagus and trachea.

Pericardial Cavity

The cavity that surrounds the heart.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

A ventral cavity that includes abdominal and pelvic cavities, housing organs like the stomach, liver, and reproductive organs.

Abdominal Cavity

Part of the abdominopelvic cavity that houses the small intestines, stomach, and liver.

Pelvic Cavity

Part of the abdominopelvic cavity that houses reproductive and urinary-related organs.