Body Cavities

Dorsal Body Cavity

Located near posterior surface of body; made up of cranial cavity and vertebral cavity

Cranial Cavity

Brain, Meninges, and the Cerebrospinal fluid

Ventral Body Cavity

Located near anterior surface of body; made up of thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

Thoracic Cavity

Space enclosed by ribs, sternum, and vertebral column; contains pericardial cavity and 2 pleural cavities

Pericardial Cavity

Surrounds heart

Pleural Cavities

Each of the 2 contain a lung; on either side of the mediastinum

Mediastinum

A central area within the thoracic cavity, extends from the neck to the diaphragm and from the sternum to the vertebral column. Organs: heart, thymus gland, esophagus, trachea, and bronchi.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Consists of 2 continuous cavities: the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal Cavity

Superior portion of abdominopelvic cavity located between the diaphragm superiorly and the brim of the pelvis inferiorly. Contains the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, small intestine, kidneys, appendix, and part of the large intestine.

Pelvic Cavity

Located between the brim of the pelvis superiorly and the body wall inferiorly, is inferior to the abdominal cavity. Contains large intestine, rectum, urinary bladder, and male/ female reproductive organs.

Spinal Cavity

Spinal cord, Vertebral column, Cerebrospinal fluid