Unit 1 Body Cavities & Serous Membranes

Body Cavities

Spaces within the body that contain, protect, and support internal organs

Dorsal Body Cavity

Cranial Cavity and Vertebral Cavity

Cranial Cavity

Formed by the bones of the skull; contains the brain

Vertebral Cavity

Formed by the bones of the vertebral column; contains the spinal cord

Ventral Body Cavity

Thoracic Cavity and Abdominopelvic Cavity

Viscera

Organs found within the ventral body cavity

Thoracic Cavity

Cavity above the diaphragm; contains the mediastinum, pericardial cavity, 2 pleural cavities

Pericardial Cavity

Contains the heart

Pleural cavities

Contain the lungs

Mediastinum

A mass of tissues between the pleural cavities. Contains all viscera in this region other than the lungs (heart, trachea, esophagus). Extends from the sternum to vertebral column, and neck to diaphragm

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Cavity below the diaphragm, contains two major divisions

Abdominal Cavity

Upper (superior) portion of the abdominopelvic cavity, contains stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and most of the large intestine

Pelvic Cavity

Lower (inferior) portion of the abdominopelvic cavity, contains the urinary bladder, portions of the large intestine, and internal organs of the reproductive system

Right upper quadrant

Quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the majority of the liver, right kidney, and gallbladder. Also contains parts of the colon, pancreas (small portion), and small intestines.

Left upper quadrant

Quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the spleen, left kidney, stomach, and majority of the pancreas. Also contains parts of the liver (small portion), colon, and small intestines.

Right lower quadrant

Quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the appendix, right ovary (female) and right fallopian tubes (female). Also contains parts of the colon, small intestines, and right ureter.

Left lower quadrant

Quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the left ovary (female) and the left fallopian tube (female). Also contains parts of the colon, small intestines, and left ureter.

Right hypochondriac region

9 quadrant system, upper right, below cartilage of ribs

Left hypochondriac region

9 quadrant system, upper left, below cartilage of ribs

Epigastric regions

9 quadrant system, upper middle

Right lumbar region

9 quadrant system, middle right

Left lumbar region

9 quadrant system, middle left

Umbilical region

9 quadrant system, center

Right iliac region

9 quadrant system, lower right, important blood vessels

Left iliac region

9 quadrant system, lower left, important blood vessels

Hypogastric region

9 quadrant system, lower middle

Serous Membrane

Thin sheet consisting of epithelium (contains secretory cells that produce mucus-like secretion) and connective tissue (binds organs together and contains nerves and blood vessels) that lines cavities not open to the outside of the body

Peritoneum

Largest serous membrane of the body, lines the abdominopelvic cavity

Pericardium

Covers the heart and lines the mediastinum

Pleura

Covers the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity

Perimetrium

Lines the uterus

Parietal Peritoneum

Lines interior of the body wall

Visceral Peritoneum

Covers the abdominal organs, contains large folds which weave between organs of the ventral body cavity, binds organs to each other and the wall of the abdominal cavity, contains blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves that supply the abdominal organs

Greater Omentum

A large fold in the peritoneum that hangs loosely and covers the anterior surface of the abdominal viscera. Connects stomach to the transverse colon and posterior body wall

Lesser omentum

Part of the peritoneum that connects the stomach to the liver and diaphragm

Mesentery

Holds together folds of the small intestine and binds small intestine to posterior abdominal wall

Retroperitoneal

Refers to the abdominopelvic organs that are outside of the parietal peritoneum, includes kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, urinary bladder, and parts of the intestine (duodenum, ascending and descending colon)

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the pleura, the membranes lining the lungs and chest wall

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the peritoneum