Body Cavities and Membranes

Greater Omentum

Fatty membrane that hangs like an apron over the intestines. It is unattached at its inferior border.

Heart membranes

Heart is enfolded in a two-layered membrane called the pericardium. -Inner layer: Visceral pericardium (surface of the heart itself) -Outer Layer: Parietal Pericardium (pericardial sac) it is Separated from the visceral pericardium by a space called the pericardial cavity which is lubricated by pericardial fluid.

Potential spaces

Under normal conditions, the membranes are firmly pressed together and there is no actual space. They aren't physically attached but under unusual condition they separate and create a space filled with fluid or other matter. Thus there is not actual space, only potential to separate and create space.

Cranial Cavity, Vertebral Canal and Meninges

-Enclosed by the cranium (braincase) and contains the brain. -Enclosed by the vertebral column (spine) and contains spinal cord. - 3 fibrous membranes between the central nervous system and surrounding bone.

Lung membranes

Lungs are enfolded with a serous membrane called the pleura. -Inner layer: Visceral pleura (forms the external surface of the lung) -Outer layer: Parietal pleura (lines the inside of the rib cage) The narrow space between visceral and parietal pleura is the pleura cavity. It is lubricated by slippery pleural fluid.

Anterior mesentery

Mesentery that continues to wrap around the anterior body wall.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Consist of the abdominal cavity (superiorly) and pelvic cavity (inferiorly). Contains a two-layered serous membrane called peritoneum. -Inner layer: Visceral peritoneum (lines the cavity wall) -Outer layer: Parietal peritoneum (posterior midline turns inward to become the outer layer). The space between the visceral and parietal peritoneum is the peritoneal cavity, which is lubricated bay the peritoneal fluid.

Abdominal Cavity

Contains most of the digestive organs as well as the spleen, kidneys and ureters. It extends inferiorly to the level of the brim of the pelvis.

Pelvic Cavity

Continues below the brim. It is narrower and tilts posteriorly. It contains the rectum, urinary bladder, urethra and reproductive organs.

Superior thoracic cavity

Divided by a thick wall call the mediastinum. The region between the lungs, extending from the base of the neck to the diaphragm. It is occupied by the heart, and the major blood vessels connected to it, esophagus, bronchi and trachea, thymus gland.

Thoracic Cavity (as a whole)

Divided into 2 portions: -Superior thoracic cavity -Inferior abdominopelvic cavity Both cavities are lined with thin serous membrane, which secrete a lubricating film of moisture similar to blood serum.

Lesser Omentum

Extends from the superomedial margin of the stomach to the liver.

Retroperitoneal Position

Organs in the abdominal cavity that lie on the posterior body wall and are only covered by peritoneum on the side facing the peritoneal cavity. Which include: kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, most of the pancreas, and abdominal portions of two major blood vessels - the aorta and inferior vena cava.

Intraperitoneal Position

Organs that are encircled by peritoneum and connected to the posterior body wall by peritoneum sheets.

Mesocolon

Posterior mesentery of the large intestines.

Body cavities and membranes

The body encloses multiple body cavities, each lined with a membrane and containing internal organs called viscera (singular, viscus)

Mesentery

Translucent, membranous curtain suspending and anchoring the viscera and serosa at points where it enfolds and covers the outer surface of organs such as the stomach and small intestines.