Body cavities

are spaces within the body that help protect/support internal organs and permit size changes

Dorsal Body Cavity

Lined by Meninges • Cranial Cavity - Holds the brain - Formed by the skull • Vertebral/Spinal Cavity – Contains spinal cord. – Formed by the vertebral column.

Ventral Body Cavity

Divided by the diaphragm. • Thoracic Cavity above the diaphragm • Abdominal Cavity below the diaphragm. • Organs/Cavity lined by Serous Membrane

Ventral

-provides protection -allows organ movement -lining prevent friction

Thoracic

sorrounded by chest wall and diaphragm -contains pleural cavities -mediastinum -pericardial Contains the stomach, spleen, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and most of the large intestine

Pleural cavities

surrounds lungs

Mediastinum

contains the trachea, esophagus, thymus and major vessels -contains pericardial cavity

pericardial cavity

surrounds heart

abdominopelvic cavity

-contains peritoneal cavity -abdominal cavity -pelvic cavity

peritoneal cavity

extends throughout abdominal cavity and into superior portion of pelvic cavity

abdominal cavity

contains many digestive glands and organs

pelvic cavity

Contains the urinary bladder, part of the large intestines, and male/female reproductive structures.

serous membranes

line walls of internal cavities and covers surfaces of enclosed organs. Protect organs from corrosion, mechanical stress by friction, & infection.

Parietal layer

lines walls of cavity

Visceral layer

covers organ

mesentery

a fold of the peritoneum which attaches the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, spleen, and other organs to the posterior wall of the abdomen.

parietal pleura

lines the thoracic wall

visceral pleura

directly covers lung

parietal peritoneum

lines the abdominal/pelvic cavity wall

visceral peritoneum

covers many abdominal organs

parietal pericardium

lines the inside of the pericardial sac

visceral pericardium

directly covers the heart