Coelom, Viscera, Cardiovascular & Lymphatic Systems – Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing major cavities, serous membranes, peritoneal folds, heart anatomy, and key vessels/histology for exam preparation.

Coelom (Ventral Body Cavity)

Entire anterior body cavity containing thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic Cavity

Superior subdivision of the coelom; houses pleural cavities, pericardial cavity, and mediastinum.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Inferior subdivision of the coelom; contains abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Peritoneal Cavity

Fluid-filled space within the abdominopelvic cavity that surrounds intraperitoneal organs.

Pleural Cavity

Serous cavity surrounding each lung.

Pericardial Cavity

Serous cavity surrounding the heart.

Mediastinum

Central thoracic region between lungs; contains heart, great vessels, esophagus, trachea, etc.

Visceral Pleura

Serous membrane directly covering the lungs.

Parietal Pleura

Serous membrane lining the thoracic wall and diaphragm around the lungs.

Visceral Pericardium (Epicardium)

Serous membrane forming the outer surface of the heart.

Parietal Pericardium

Serous membrane lining the fibrous pericardial sac.

Visceral Peritoneum

Serous membrane directly covering intraperitoneal abdominal organs.

Parietal Peritoneum

Serous membrane lining the abdominal wall.

Mesentery

Double layer of peritoneum suspending organs and providing vessels and nerves.

Mesentery Proper

Mesentery attaching jejunum and ileum to the posterior abdominal wall.

Mesocolon

Mesentery attaching transverse and sigmoid colon to the posterior wall.

Coronary Ligament

Peritoneal fold attaching the liver to the diaphragm.

Falciform Ligament

Peritoneal fold attaching liver to anterior abdominal wall; contains ligamentum teres.

Ligamentum Teres Hepatis

Fibrous remnant of the fetal umbilical vein within falciform ligament.(thicker part, thinner part is falciform)

Greater Omentum

Large peritoneal apron connecting stomach to transverse colon.

Lesser Omentum

Peritoneal fold connecting stomach and duodenum to liver.

Diaphragm

Muscular partition separating thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Aortic Hiatus

Diaphragmatic opening for the aorta.

Esophageal Hiatus

Diaphragmatic opening for esophagus and vagus nerves.

Caval Hiatus

Diaphragmatic opening for the inferior vena cava.

Femoral Triangle Contents

Femoral artery, vein, lymphatics, and nerve exit the coelom here.

Inguinal Canal Contents

Transmits spermatic cord (male) or round ligament (female).

Retroperitoneal Organs

Organs located behind parietal peritoneum (e.g., pancreas, kidneys, ascending colon).

Intraperitoneal Organs

Organs enveloped by visceral peritoneum (e.g., stomach, liver, jejunum).

Pericardial Sac (Pericardium)

Fibrous and serous layers enclosing and protecting the heart.

Fibrous Pericardium

Tough outer connective-tissue layer of the pericardial sac.

Epicardium

Outer layer of heart wall; same as visceral pericardium.

Myocardium

Thick muscular middle layer of heart wall.

Endocardium

Endothelial inner lining of heart chambers.

Apex of Heart

Inferior pointed tip of the left ventricle.

Coronary Sulcus

Groove separating atria from ventricles; houses coronary vessels.

Interventricular Sulcus

Anterior and posterior grooves marking ventricular septum externally.

Auricle

Small ear-like pouch of each atrium that increases volume.

Pectinate Muscles

Ridges of myocardium in atrial walls, especially auricles.

Chordae Tendineae

Tendinous cords anchoring AV valve cusps to papillary muscles.

Papillary Muscles

Conical ventricular muscles that tighten chordae tendineae during systole.

Trabeculae Carneae

Irregular muscular ridges lining ventricular walls.

Pulmonary Semilunar Valve

Valve between right ventricle and pulmonary trunk.

Aortic Semilunar Valve

Valve between left ventricle and ascending aorta.

Coronary Arteries

Right and left vessels supplying blood to the heart tissue.

Coronary Sinus

Large venous channel draining cardiac veins into right atrium.

Fossa Ovalis

Depression in interatrial septum; remnant of fetal foramen ovale.

Ligamentum Arteriosum

Fibrous remnant of fetal ductus arteriosus between aorta and pulmonary trunk.

Pulmonary Trunk

Artery carrying deoxygenated blood from right ventricle to lungs.

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Ascending Aorta

First portion of the aorta leaving the left ventricle.

Superior Vena Cava

Vein returning blood from head, neck, and upper limbs to right atrium.

Inferior Vena Cava

Vein returning blood from abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs to right atrium.

Subclavian Artery

Artery supplying head, neck, and upper limb; gives off vertebral and thyrocervical branches.

Celiac Trunk

First abdominal aortic branch; gives gastric, splenic, and common hepatic arteries.

Renal Arteries

Paired arteries supplying the kidneys.

Hepatic Portal Vein

Vein conveying nutrient-rich blood from GI tract to liver.

Great Saphenous Vein

Longest superficial vein of the body; runs along medial lower limb.

Artery (Histology)

Thick-walled vessel with round lumen for high-pressure blood flow.

Vein (Histology)

Thin-walled vessel with large irregular lumen and possible valves.

Peripheral Nerve (Histology)

Bundle of axons lacking a lumen; shows dot-like axons within myelin.