Body Cavity Flashcards

What is the dorsal cavity?

What does the cranial cavity encase?

What does the vertebral cavity encase?

What are the two subdivisions of the thoracic cavity?

What do the pleural cavities house?

What does the mediastinum contain?

What separates the abdominal cavity from the superior thoracic cavity?

What does the abdominal cavity contain?

Where is the pelvic cavity located?

What do serous membranes line?

What is the function of serous cavity?

What is parietal serosa?

What does visceral serosa cover?

What is the oral cavity commonly known as?

Where is the nasal cavity located?

What does the orbital cavity house?

What do the middle ear cavities contain?

What are synovial cavities?

Dorsal Cavities

Dorsal cavity protects the nervous system and comprises two subdivisions: cranial and vertebral cavities.
Cranial cavity encases the brain and is located within the skull.
Vertebral cavity runs through the vertebral column, encasing the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

Thoracic cavity is divided into pleural cavities and mediastinum.
Pleural cavities house each lung, providing a protective space.
Mediastinum contains the pericardial cavity and surrounds other thoracic organs.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Abdominopelvic cavity is separated from the thoracic cavity by the diaphragm and has two subdivisions: abdominal and pelvic cavities.
Abdominal cavity contains major digestive organs, including the stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, and kidneys.
Pelvic cavity resides within the pelvis and contains the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

Serous Membranes

Serous membranes (serosa) line internal cavities and are moist and slippery, helping to reduce friction.
Key types include pleura (lungs), pericardium (heart), and peritoneum (covers visceral organs in the abdominal cavity).
Serous cavity is the slit-like space between the serous membranes.

Serosal Layers

Parietal serosa refers to the outer wall of the cavity.
Visceral serosa covers the organs such as the heart, lungs, intestines, and kidneys.

Additional Cavities

Oral cavity refers to the mouth area.
Nasal cavity is situated posterior to the nose.
Orbital cavity houses the eyes.
Middle ear cavity contains ossicles, which transmit sound vibrations.
Synovial cavities are found in joints, facilitating movement.

Explore the intricacies of body cavities with these flashcards, focusing on the dorsal cavity and its subdivisions. This quiz covers essential terms and definitions related to the protection of the nervous system, including the cranial and vertebral cavities. Perfect for students studying anatomy!