Body Cavities & Membranes

Mediastinum

A central band of organs containing the heart (surround by a pericardial cavity) the esophagus and the trachea (Windpipe).

serous membrane

A mesothelial tissue that lines certain internal cavities of the body, forming a smooth, transparent, two-layered membrane lubricated by a fluid derived from serum. The peritoneum, pericardium, and pleura are serous membranes.

What are the two main divisions of the ventral body cavity:

A superior thoracic cavity surrounded by the muscles of the chest wall. And an inferior abdominopelvic cavity surrounded by the abdominal walls and the pelvic girdle. These two cavities are separated by the diaphragm.

Vertebral Cavity

Runs the the vertebral Column to enclose the spinal chord.

Visceral Serosa

Serous membrane that covers external surface of organs within the cavities.

Cranial cavity

Subdivision of the dorsal cavity lies in the skull and encases the brain.

Visceral Pleura

The delicate serous membrane that covers the surface of each lung (the lung parenchyma) and dips into the fissures between the lobes.

Serous fluid

Watery fluid reducing friction.

Peritoneal cavity

a potential space between the parietal peritoneum (the peritoneum that surrounds the abdominal wall) and visceral peritoneum (the peritoneum that surrounds the internal organs).

Dorsal cavity

has the cranial and spinal cavities.

serosa

the tissue of a serous membrane.

Ventral Body Cavity

Contains The lungs, heart, intestines, and kidneys. (Visceral organs)

Pleura

Covering of the lungs and thoracic cavity that is moistened with serous fluid to reduce friction during respiratory movements of the lungs.

Viscera

Internal organs

visceral pericardium

The inner layer of the serous pericardium, which is in contact with the heart and roots of the great vessels. Called also epicardium.

Visceral organs are?

The lungs the heart, intestines, and kidneys.

Pericardium

The membrane enclosing the heart, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner double layer of serous membrane.

Parietal pericardium:

The outer layer of the pericardium which is a conical sac of fibrous tissue that surrounds the heart and the roots of the great blood vessels. The pericardium has outer and inner coats.

visceral peritoneum

The outer layer, called the parietal peritoneum, is attached to the abdominal wall. The inner layer, the visceral peritoneum, is wrapped around the internal organs that are located inside the intraperitoneal cavity. The potential space between these two layers is the peritoneal cavity.

Parietal Pleura

The outer membrane which is attached to the inner surface of the thoracic cavity. It also separates the pleural cavity from the mediastinum. The parietal pleura is innervated by the intercostal nerves and the phrenic nerve. Between the membranes is a fluid filled space called the pleural cavity.

parietal serosa

The part of the membrane that lines the cavity walls. Usually the furthest away from the organ, parie=wall.

Pericardial Cavity

The potential space formed between the two layers of serous pericardium around the heart. Normally, it contains a small amount of serous fluid that acts to reduce surface tension and lubricate.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and covering the abdominal organs.

Pleural Cavity

The thin fluid-filled space between the two pulmonary pleurae (known as visceral and parietal) of each lung. A pleura is a serous membrane which folds back onto itself to form a two-layered membranous pleural sac.

Parietal peritoneum

is attached to the abdominal wall. The inner layer, the visceral peritoneum, is wrapped around the internal organs that are located inside the intraperitoneal cavity.