Major Body Cavities ch1

diaphragm

divides the dorsal body cavity and the ventral body cavity.

pelvic cavity

inferior part of the abdominopelvic cavity, lies in the bony pelvis and contains the urinary bladder, some reproductive organs, and the rectum.

abdominopelvic cavity

inferior subdivision of the ventral body cavity, has two parts: the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity.

pleural cavities

lateral subdivision of the thoracic cavity, each envelop a lung and the medial mediastinum.

ventral body cavity

more anterior and larger of the closed body cavities, houses internal organs collectively called the viscera, or visceral organs. has two major subdivisions: the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.

dorsal body cavity

protects nervous system, has two subdivisions: the cranial cavity and vertebral or spinal cavity.

cranial cavity

subdivision of the dorsal body cavity. located in the skull and encases the brain.

vertebral or spinal cavity

subdivision of the dorsal body cavity. runs along the bony vertebral column and encloses the spinal cord.

pericardial cavity

subdivision of the thoracic cavity, encloses the heart, and also surrounds the remaining thoracic organs (esophagus, trachea and others).

abdominal cavity

superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity, contains digestive viscera (stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, and other organs).

thoracic cavity

superior subdivision of the ventral body cavity. surrounded by the ribs and the muscles of the chest. contains the heart and lungs. has three subdivisions: superior mediastinum, pleural cavity, and the pericardial cavity (within the mediastinum).