L1.7.1: Body Cavities

• Body cavities

  • dorsal body cavities
  • ventral body cavities
  • thoracic
  • abdominopelvic
• cranial cavity

  • houses the brain
  • protected by the skull
• spinal cavity

  • houses the spinal cord
  • protected by the vertebrae
• thoracic cavity

  • location: Superior to the diaphragm
  • houses: Heart, lungs, other organs
  • protected by: ribcage
  • Mediastinum: Central region that separates lungs into right and left cavities, Houses the heart, trachea, and other visceral organs
• abdominopelvic cavity

  • location: Inferior to the diaphragm
  • no physical structure separates abdominal from pelvic cavities
  • abdominal
  • Houses: stomach, liver, intestines, others
  • Protected by: trunk muscles
  • pelvic
  • Houses: Reproductive organs, bladder, rectum
  • Protected by: bony pelvis
• other body cavities

  • Oral and Digestive
  • Nasal
  • Orbital
  • Middle Ear