Anatomical Body Cavities and Subdivisions

Overview of Body Cavities

• Body cavities are defined as hollow spaces or chambers within the body that house and protect internal organs.
• The two main body cavities are located within the axial skeleton:
  • Ventral body cavity
  • Dorsal body cavity

Terminology and Anatomical Positions

• Ventral: Refers to the anterior position, corresponding to the front of the body.
• Dorsal: Refers to the posterior position, corresponding to the back of the body.

The Dorsal Body Cavity

• The dorsal cavity is a posterior cavity bounded by the hard, bony walls of the cranium and the vertebral column.
• It contains and protects the two major components of the central nervous system.
• The dorsal cavity is divided into two main subdivisions:
  • Cranial cavity: The upper portion enclosed by the skull (cranium) that houses the brain.
  • Vertebral cavity: The lower portion enclosed by the spinal column (vertebral column) that houses the spinal cord.

The Ventral Body Cavity

• The ventral body cavity is situated in an anterior position relative to the dorsal cavity.
• It is subdivided into two primary internal cavities:
  • Thoracic cavity
  • Abdominopelvic cavity