Ch. 1 - Body cavities and membranes

Between the parietal and visceral layers of serous membrane is - the serous cavity

serous cavity contains a small amount of fluid, called serous fluid, that reduces friction between the two layers.

--serous membrane

slippery double-layered membrane associated with body cavities that does not open directly to the exterior. Covers the vicera and also lines the walls of the 'thorax' and abdomen. 3 parts:

Abdominapelvic cavity

subdivided into abdominal and pelvic cavities

[Thoracic/Abdominopelvic cavity membranes]

membrane is a thin pliable tissue that covers, lines, connects structures.

serous membrane associated with the heart

pericardium: -visceral pericardium: covers surface of the heart -parietal pericardium: lines fibrous pericardium that surrounds the heart. -in between is serous cavity; pericardium cavity.

serous membrane of abdominal cavity

peritoneum: -visceral peritoneum: covers abdominal viscera -parietal peritoneum: lines the abdominal wall and covers the inferior surface of diaphragm. -in between is the serous cavity; peritoneum cavity. *most abdominal organs surrounded by peritoneum are called intraperitoneal. Those behind and partially covered by peritoneum are called retroperitoneal.

serous membrane associated with the lungs

pleura: -visceral pleura: clings to surface of lungs -parietal pleura: lines chest wall and covers superior surface of the diaphragm. -in between is serous cavity; pleural cavity.

---pericardial cavity

potential space between the layers of the pericardium that surrounds the heart

---pleural cavity

potential space between the layers of the pleura that surrounds a lung

cranial cavity

formed by cranial bones and contains the brain

vertebral cavity

formed by vertebral column and contains spinal cord and the beginnings of spinal nerves.

---mediastinum

central portion of thoracic cavity between the lungs. Extends from sternum to vertebral column and from the first rib to the diaphragm. Contains the heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and several large blood vessels.

---abdominal cavity

contains stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and most of the large intestine.

---pelvic cavity

contains urinary bladder, portions of large intestine, and internal organs for reproduction.

Thoracic cavity

contains: pleural pericardial sacs mediastinum (thoracic and abdominopelvic separated by the diaphragm)

viscera

the term used for organs inside thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

(2) visceral layer of serous membrane

thin epithelium that covers and adheres to the viscera within the body cavities... Both parietal and visceral layers form a sac

(1) parietal layer of serous membrane

thin epithelium that lines walls of the body cavities.... both visceral and parietal layers form a sac.