Chapter 1 - Animal Anatomy: Body Cavities and Levels of Structural Organization

Vocabulary flashcards covering body cavities, serous membranes, and levels of structural organization from Chapter 1 of Animal Anatomy.

Body cavity

A hollow space within the body that houses the viscera (organs).

Dorsal cavity

The back-side cavity containing the cranial and spinal cavities.

Ventral cavity

The larger front cavity that houses the thoracic and abdominal cavities; separated from the dorsal cavity by the diaphragm.

Cranial cavity

The space inside the skull that houses the brain.

Spinal cavity

The space within the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

The chest cavity that houses the heart and lungs.

Abdominal cavity

The cavity within the abdomen that houses many digestive organs.

Diaphragm

The muscular partition that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Serous fluid

Lubricating fluid secreted by serous membranes to protect organs.

Serous membrane

Membranes that secrete serous fluid and line body cavities and cover organs.

Parietal membrane

The serous membrane that lines the cavity walls.

Visceral membrane

The serous membrane that covers organs within the cavities.

Viscera

The internal organs contained within body cavities.

Hollow spaces

Another term for body cavities; spaces within the body that house organs.

Levels of structural organization

The hierarchical organization of the body from chemical to organismal level.

Chemical level

Atoms and molecules; and organelles.

Cellular level

Cells.

Tissue

Groups of similar cells.

Organ

Contains two or more types of tissues.

Organ system

A group of organs that work closely together.

Organismal level

All organ systems functioning together.