Body Cavities

2 posterior cavities

1. cranial cavity

2. vertebral canal

what forms the vertebral canal?

vertebral foramen

5 anterior/ventral cavities

1. pleural

2. pleural

3. mediastinum

4. abdominal

5. pelvic

what divides the abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity?

diaphragm

what divides the abdominal and pelvic cavities?

anterior superior iliac spine

serous membranes

• secrete serous/viscous fluid

• lubricate membrane surfaces

• allow layers to slide smoothly over each other

• reduce friction between organs and the wall of the cavity

what are the 2 types of serous membranes?

1. parietal

2. visceral

what are the 3 regions of serous membranes?

1. pleural (lungs)

2. pericardium (heart)

3. peritoneum (abdominopelvic)

visceral membrane

covers external surfaces of organs and structures

parietal membranes

covers/lines the internal surface of the body wall

serous cavity

potential space between visceral and parietal membranes

name of membrane on lungs

visceral pleura

name of lining of heart cavity

parietal pericardium

space between heart (visceral) and cavity (parietal)

pericardial cavity

4 separate cavities within thoracic cavity

1. pleural

2. pleural

3. mediastinal

4. pericardial

where is the mediastinum located?

between lungs

• includes heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels

3 regions of inferior mediastinum

1. anterior

2. middle

3. posterior

what part of the mediastinum is the heart located in?

middle inferior mediastinum

what is included in the pericardial cavity?

pericardium and heart

inner layer of pericardium

visceral pericardium

outer layer of pericardium (aka pericardial sac)

parietal pericardium

what lines the pulmonary cavities?

parietal pleura

4 parts of parietal pleura

1. cervical

2. costal

3. mediastinal

4. diaphragmatic

pneumothorax

air is present in pleural cavity

hydrothorax

fluid is present in pleural cavity

hemothorax

blood is present in pleural cavity

3 surfaces of lung

1. costal

2. mediastinal

3. diaphragmatic

what lines the internal surface of the abdominopelvic cavity?

parietal peritoneum

what is investing the organs of the abdominopelvic cavity?

visceral peritoneum

intraperitoneal

organ is completely within cavity

• stomach, jejunum, ilium, transverse colon, spleen

retroperitoneal

organs are partly covered, partly pressed against wall of cavity

• duodenum, pancreas, colon, kidneys, esophagus, rectum

omentum

broad, double layered sheet of peritoneum passing from the stomach to another abdominal organ

• abdominal policeman

urinary organs

• ureters

• urinary bladder

• urethra

viscera of pelvic cavity

• urinary organs (ureters, urinary bladder, urethra)

• rectum

• internal genital organs