Body Cavities and Membranes

cranial cavity

formed by skull bones

vertebral canal

formed by vertebral column

posterior aspect cavities

cranial cavity, vertebral canal

ventral cavity

thoracic cavity, abdominopelvic cavity

thoracic cavity

superior to diaphragm

abdominopelvic cavity

inferior to diaphragm; contains two cavities divided by pelvic brim of hip bones

what is in the abdominopelvic cavity

abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity

what lines ventral cavities

serous membranes

parietal layer

lines internal surface of the body

visceral layer

covers external surface of specific organs

serous fluid

reduces friction between moving organs

mediastinum

median space in thoracic cavity

thoracic cavity membranes

pericardium, pleura

pericardium

serous membranes around heart

subcategories of pericardium

parietal pericardium, pericardial cavity, visceral pericardium

pleura

serous membranes around lungs

subcategories of pleura

parietal pleura, pleural cavity, visceral pleura

abdominopelvic cavity membrane

peritoneum

peritoneum

serous membranes around many abdominal organss

subcategories of peritoneum

parietal peritoneum, peritoneal cavity, visceral peritoneum

parietal peritoneum

lines internal walls of abdominopelvic cavity

peritoneal cavity

potential space with serous fluid

visceral peritoneum

covers surface of most digestive organs