Anatomy and Physiology: Body Cavities and Abdominopelvic Regions

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering major body cavities, serous membranes, abdominopelvic regions, and abdominopelvic quadrants based on introductory Anatomy & Physiology I materials.

Visceral Membrane

A cavity membrane that is in direct contact with organs.

Parietal Membrane

A membrane that lines the outer cavity wall.

Visceral Pleura

The serous membrane layer in direct contact with the lungs.

Parietal Pleura

The serous membrane layer lining the outer cavity wall associated with the lungs.

Pleural Cavity

The potential space located between the visceral pleura and parietal pleura that contains a film of lubricating fluid for frictionless movement of the lungs.

Intraperitoneal

Classification for organs that are surrounded by the peritoneal cavity.

Retroperitoneal

Classification for organs that are located outside the peritoneal cavity.

Ventral Body Cavity

Anterior body cavity containing the thoracic body cavity and abdominopelvic body cavity.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Posterior body cavity subdivided into the cranial body cavity and the vertebral or spinal canal.

Cranial Body Cavity

Subdivision of the dorsal body cavity that houses the brain.

Vertebral or Spinal Canal

Subdivision of the dorsal body cavity that encloses the spinal cord.

Thoracic Body Cavity

Superior subdivision of the ventral body cavity containing the pleural cavities, mediastinum, and pericardial cavity.

Abdominopelvic Body Cavity

Inferior subdivision of the ventral body cavity consisting of the abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity.

Diaphragm

Muscular partition that separates the thoracic body cavity from the abdominal body cavity.

Mediastinum

Central tissue mass/region located within the thoracic cavity between the pleural cavities.

Pericardial Cavity

Potential space surrounding the heart bounded by the visceral pericardium and parietal pericardium.

Visceral Pericardium

Serous membrane layer in direct contact with the heart.

Parietal Pericardium

Serous membrane layer lining the outer wall of the pericardial cavity.

Abdominal Cavity

Superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity separated from the pelvic cavity by an oblique plane.

Pelvic Cavity

Inferior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity separated from the abdominal cavity by an oblique plane.

Mesenteries

Folds of serous membrane supporting and suspending abdominal viscera within the peritoneal cavity.

Umbilicus

Anatomical landmark used for orientation in dividing the nine abdominopelvic regions.

Umbilical Region

The central region of the nine abdominopelvic regions surrounding the umbilicus. It includes the small intestine and colon.

Epigastric Region

The superior central region of the nine abdominopelvic regions, positioned above the umbilical region. It includes the stomach, liver, and part of the gallbladder.

Pubic Region

The inferior central region of the nine abdominopelvic regions, positioned below the umbilical region. It includes the sigmoid colon, urinary bladder, internal reproductive organs, and small intestine.

Hypochondriac Regions

The right and left superior lateral regions among the nine abdominopelvic regions (RIGHT Hypochondriac Region and LEFT Hypochondriac Region). Includes the spleen, liver, and part of the gallbladder.

Lumbar Regions

The right and left middle lateral regions among the nine abdominopelvic regions (RIGHT Lumbar Region and LEFT Lumbar Region).Includes the small intestine, ascending colon, and descending colon.

Iliac or Inguinal Regions

The right and left inferior lateral regions among the nine abdominopelvic regions (RIGHT Iliac or Inguinal Region and LEFT Iliac or Inguinal Region). Includes the sigmoid colon and appendix.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

The four sub-divisions of the abdominopelvic area: Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ), Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ), Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ), and Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ).

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

The upper right quadrant of the four abdominopelvic divisions.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

The upper left quadrant of the four abdominopelvic divisions.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

The lower right quadrant of the four abdominopelvic divisions.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

The lower left quadrant of the four abdominopelvic divisions.