Body Cavities & Serous Membranes Flashcards

Study Notes

Body Cavities & Serous Membranes

Abdominal Cavity: Located between the diaphragm and pelvis, housing organs like the liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, gall bladder, and intestines.
Pericardial Cavity: The fluid-filled space between the two pericardial membranes surrounding the heart.
Abdominopelvic Cavity: Part of the ventral cavity beneath the diaphragm, includes both abdominal and pelvic cavities.
Pericardium: Dual-layered membrane encasing the heart, functioning as a protective fibrous sac.
Cranial Cavity: Encloses the brain, situated in the skull.
Peritoneal Cavity: The space between the visceral and parietal peritoneum in the abdominal area.
Diaphragm: A significant muscle at the chest's base, essential for breathing, separating thoracic cavity from abdominal cavity.
Pleura: Double-layered membrane enveloping the lungs, providing protection and facilitating lung function.
Dorsal Cavity: Comprises the cranial and spinal cavities, housing the brain and spinal cord.
Pleural Cavity: The fluid-filled space between the lung's visceral pleura and the parietal pleura lining the rib cage.
Epicardium: Outermost layer of the heart, contributing to heart protection.
Retroperitoneal Region: Area behind the abdominal cavity containing kidneys and other organs located on the posterior abdominal wall.
Mediastinum: The central space between the lungs that contains the heart, major blood vessels, and other structures.
Spinal Cavity: Houses the spinal cord, extending from the brainstem to the lower end of the spinal cord.
Parietal Pericardium: Outermost layer of the serous membrane surrounding the heart, providing structural support.
Thoracic Cavity: Also identified as the chest cavity; contains the lungs and heart, situated superior to the diaphragm.
Parietal Peritoneum: Membrane lining the abdominal cavity wall, providing a protective barrier.
Ventral Cavity: Encompasses both thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
Parietal Pleura: Outer layer of pleura in proximity to the ribs and chest wall, aiding lung function.
Visceral Pericardium (Epicardium): Inner serous membrane directly covering the heart's surface.
Peritoneum: Double membrane that envelops most organs in the abdominopelvic cavity, excluding the kidneys.
Visceral Peritoneum: Membrane that adheres to the surfaces of abdominal organs.
Pelvic Cavity: Enclosed by the pelvic bones, containing organs related to reproductive and excretory systems.
Visceral Pleura: Membrane closest to the lungs, covering their surfaces.
Retroperitoneal Region: Contains structures not covered by peritoneum; includes kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, and parts of the aorta and inferior vena cava.

Description

Test your knowledge on body cavities and their respective serous membranes with these flashcards. Each card provides a definition to help you understand the structure and function of different cavities within the human body.