A&P - Structure and Location of Body Cavities

Abdominopelvic regions

9 regions used to locate organs within the abdominopelvic cavity: right hypochondriac region - epigastric region - Left hypochondriac region; Right lumbar region - Umbilical region - Left lumbar region; Right inguinal region - Hypogastric (pubic) region - Left inguinal region.

Abdominopelvic quadrants

Abdominopelvic cavity divided into 4 quadrants - more commonly used for describing site of pain or condition etc.. Right Upper Quadrant - Left Upper Quadrant - Right Lower Quadrant - Left Lower Quadrant.

Retroperitoneal

Organs located between the peritoneum and the posterior portion of the abdominal wall - kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas.

Mediastinum

central portion of the thoracic cavity - contains the heart (in the pericardial cavity), the oesophagus, trachea, thymus, and several large blood vessels..

Thoracic cavity

encircled by the ribs, muscles of the chest, the sternum, and thoracic portion of the vertebral column. - Contains 3 smaller cavities pericardial cavity, pleural cavity, mediastinum.

Abdominopelvic cavity

extends from the diaphragm to the groin, surrounded by the abdominal wall and the bones and muscles of the pelvis - Divided into 2 smaller cavities - abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity

Pericardial cavity

fluid filled space that contains the heart

Visceral layer

layer of double sided serous membrane attached to and covers the outside of the organs within the cavity

Parietal layer

layer of double sided serous membrane lining the wall of the cavity.

Pelvic cavity

located inferior to the abdominal cavity. Contains the bladder, portions of the large intestine, and the internal portions of the reproductive organs.

Abdominal cavity

located inferior to the diaphragm and superior to the pelvic cavity. Contains the stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and most of the large intestine.

Visceral peritoneum

serous membrane layer covering the surface of the abdominal viscera

Visceral pericardium

serous membrane layer covering the surface of the heart

Parietal peritoneum

serous membrane layer stuck to the inside of the abdominal wall

Parietal pleura

serous membrane layer stuck to the inside of the chest wall

parietal pericardium

serous membrane layer stuck to the inside of the chest wall

Visceral pleura

serous membrane layer stuck to the surface of the lungs

Peritoneum

serous membrane within the abdominal cavity

Serous fluid

slippery fluid secreted by the serous membranes into the space between the two layers - reduces friction between the two layers allowing viscera to move about eg: lungs inflating and deflating when breathing.

Body cavities

spaces located within the body - help to protect, separate, and support internal organs - separated one from the other by bones, muscles and ligaments.

Viscera

term referring to all organs located within the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Serous membranes

thin, slippery, double layered membranes covering the viscera of the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Also line walls of the thorax and abdomen. Composed of 2 parts: parietal layer, visceral layer.

Pleural cavity

two fluid filled cavities on either side of the thoracic cavity - contain one lung each