ANATOMY BODY CAVITIES

DORSAL CAVITY

posterior cavity ; encased in bone

dorsal cavity has 2 subdivisions

• cranial

• vertebral

cranial cavity

formed by bones of cranium ; contains the brain

VERTEBRAL CAVITY

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

ventral cavity

anterior cavity; houses internal organs (viscera) ; lined with serous membranes

ventral cavity has 2 subdivisions separated by diaphragm

• thoratic cavity

• abdominopelvic cavity

thoracic cavity

superior to diaphragm

thoracic cavity subdivisions

• 2 pleural cavities

• mediastinum

• pericardial cavity

2 pleural cavities

• each houses a lung

• serosa = (parietal + visceral pleura)

mediastinum

• median space

• contains pericardial cavity, thymus, trachea & esophagus

pericardial cavity

• encloses heart

• serosa = (parietal + visceral pericardium)

abdominopelvic cavity

inferior to diaphragm; serosa= peritoneum (parietal & visceral)

abdominopelvic cavity has 2 subdivisions

• abdominal cavity

• pelvic cavity

abdominal cavity

• superior to the pelvic brim of the hip bones

• contains most digestive organs, kidneys and most of ureters

Pelvic Cavity

• inferior to the pelvic brim of the hip bones

• contains the distal part of the large intestine, the remainder of the ureters, urinary bladder and internal reproductive organs.

serous membrane (serosa)

thin, double-layered membrane separated by serous fluid associated with ventral body cavity

parietal serosa

layer that lines internal body cavity walls

visceral serosa

layer that covers the surface of the organs

serous cavity

potential space between parietal and visceral layers, contains serous fluid (lubricant to reduce friction)

what are the smaller/other body cavities?

• oral and digestive

• nasal

• orbital

• middle ear

• synovial