Coelom and Body Cavities

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the coelom and its subdivisions, including the various body cavities and the formation of serous membranes.

Coelom

The ventral body cavity that contains and protects internal organs.

Thoracic cavity

A major subdivision of the coelom that includes pleural cavities, pericardial cavity, and mediastinum.

Pleural cavities

Spaces within the thoracic cavity that surround the lungs.

Pericardial cavity

The cavity within the thoracic cavity that contains the heart.

Mediastinum

The central part of the thoracic cavity that separates the lungs and contains the heart, esophagus, and more.

Abdominopelvic cavity

A major subdivision of the coelom that includes the abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity.

Peritoneal cavity

A subset of the abdominopelvic cavity, filled with serous fluid and surrounding intraperitoneal viscera.

Serous membranes

Specific tissues that form the lining of the serous cavities in the body.

The ____ pleura adheres directly to the surface of the lung, whereas the ____ pleura lines the inside of the thoracic cavity.

visceral, parietal