Body Cavities and Skeleton system

Body Cavities

  • Cavities: Spaces inside the human body housing organs and systems.

Dorsal Cavity

  • Location: Along the dorsal (posterior) side of the body.

  • Components:

    • Cranial Cavity: Houses the brain.

    • Vertebral/Spinal Cavity: Contains the spinal cord.

Ventral Cavity

  • Location: Anterior (front-facing) part of the body.

  • Components:

    • Thoracic Cavity: Contains major organs of the circulatory and respiratory systems (heart, lungs, trachea).

    • Abdominal Cavity: Contains digestive and urinary organs (stomach, intestines, spleen, kidneys).

    • Pelvic Cavity: Houses bladder and reproductive organs.

  • Diaphragm: Muscle separating thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Skeletal System

  • Total Bones in Adult: 206 bones.

  • Total Bones in Babies: 300 bones (due to bone fusion during growth).

Functions of the Skeletal System

  • Supports the human body.

  • Provides body shape.

  • Enables body movement.

  • Protects internal organs.

  • Produces blood cells.

  • Stores minerals (calcium, phosphorus).

Key Bones

  • Cranium, Mandible, Scapula, Sternum, Ribs, Pelvis, Carpals, Phalanges, Patella, Tarsals, Maxilla, Clavicle, Humerus, Vertebral Column, Radius, Ulna, Metacarpals, Femur, Tibia, Fibula.

Think Tank Questions:

  1. Relate position of cranial and vertebral cavities to function.

  2. Name three organs in other body cavities.

  3. Locate diaphragm in diagrams.

  4. Compare common and scientific names of bones.

  5. What is the common name for the mandible?