Body Cavities Cavities The body is not a

Body Cavities

Cavities The body is not a solid structure Made up of open spaces (cavities) that contain well-ordered, compact arrangements of internal organs Two main cavities, which are labeled by location ◦ These are broken into smaller cavities, which are labeled by content

2 Main Cavities Ventral cavity – cavities along the ventral surface of the body Dorsal cavity – cavities along dorsal surface of the body

Ventral Cavities Thoracic cavity ◦ Mediastinum ◦ Pleural cavities (right and left) Abdominopelvic cavity ◦ Abdominal cavity ◦ Pelvic cavity Separated by the diaphragm ◦ Large, dome-shaped muscle ◦ Most essential muscle in breathing

Dorsal Cavities Cranial cavity Spinal cavity

Thoracic Cavity A. K. A. “Chest cavity” Subdivisions: ◦ Mediastinum Trachea Esophagus Heart Blood vessels ◦ Pleural cavities Lungs

Abdominopelvic Cavity Not separated by a physical structure Subdivisions: ◦ Abdominal cavity ◦ Pelvic cavity

Abdominal Cavity Includes: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Liver Gallbladder Stomach Spleen Pancreas Small Intestine Parts of large intestine Kidneys

Pelvic Cavity Includes: ◦ Lower large intestine (sigmoid colon) - A ◦ Rectum - H ◦ Urinary bladder - B ◦ Reproductive organs

Cranial Cavity Includes: ◦ Brain and surrounding structures ◦ CSF

Spinal Cavity Includes: ◦ Spinal Cord ◦ CSF