Chapter 2: Body Cavities

Front 1

Cranial cavity, space in the head

Back 1

Brain, pituitary gland

Front 2

Thoracic cavity, space in the chest

Back 2

Lungs, heart, esophagus, trachea, bronchial tubes, thymus gland, aorta (large artery).
Is divided into two smaller cavities:
1. Pleural cavity: space between the folds of the pleura surrounding each lung.
Pleura-is a double-folded membrane that surrounds the lungs and protects them. If it is inflamed(as in pleuritis/pleurisy), the pleural cavity may fill with fluid
2. Mediastinum: centrally located space outside of and between the lungs. It contains the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, thymus gland, bronchial tubes, and many lymph nodes.

Front 3

Abdominal cavity/abdomen, is the space below the chest

Back 3

Peritoneum-double-foulded membrane surrounding abdominal cavity.
Also contains the kidneys: two bean-shaped organs behind (retroperitoneal area) the abdominal cavity on either side of the backbone,
Contains the stomach, small and large intestines, spleen, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
Also contains the diaphragm: a muscular wall that divides the abdominal and thoracic cavities.

Front 4

Pelvic cavity, space below the abdomen

Back 4

Portions of the small and large intestines, rectum, urinary bladder, urethra, and ureters; uterus and vagina in the female.

Front 5

Spinal cavity, space within the spinal column (backbones)
Also called the spinal canal.

Back 5

Nerves of the spinal cord

Front 6

The cranial and spinal cavities are the _____body cavities because of their position on the body

Back 6

dorsal (posterior):pertaining to the back

Front 7

The thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavities are ____ body cavities.

Back 7

Ventral (anterior): Pertaining to the front

Front 8

Diaphragm

Back 8

Muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The diaphragm moves up and down and aids in breathing.