1. The Language of Anatomy
Sectional Anatomy: Body cavities
If you remove an organ from the body, you will leave a cavity
The body cavities are studied in this manner:
Posterior cavity
Anterior cavity 1

2. The Language of Anatomy
Sectional Anatomy: Body cavities
Posterior cavity
Cranial cavity: consists of the brain
Spinal cavity: consists of the spinal cord 2

3. The Language of Anatomy
Sectional Anatomy: Body cavities
Anterior cavity
Thoracic cavity
Abdominal cavity
Pelvic cavity
Abdominopelvic cavity 3

4. The Language of Anatomy
Sectional Anatomy: Anterior cavity
Thoracic cavity consists of:
Pleural cavity: lungs
Pericardial cavity: heart
Mediastinal cavity: space between the apex of the lungs 4

5. The Language of Anatomy
Sectional Anatomy: Anterior cavity
Abdominopelvic cavity consists of:
Peritoneal cavity: stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, etc.
Pelvic cavity: urinary bladder 5

6. The Language of Anatomy
Sectional Anatomy: Body cavities
Each cavity consists of a double-layered membrane
The membrane nearest the wall of the body (farthest from the organs) is the parietal membrane
parietal pleura, parietal pericardium, parietal peritoneum
The membrane farthest from the wall of the body (nearest the organs) is the visceral membrane
visceral pleura, visceral pericardium, visceral peritoneum 6

7. Figure 1.14 The Ventral Body Cavity
Ventral Body Cavity (Coelom)
• Provides protection • Allows organ movement • Lining prevents friction
Separated by diaphragm into
Thoracic Cavity
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Surrounded by chest wall and diaphragm
Contains the peritoneal cavity
subdivided into
includes the
Right Pleural Cavity
Mediastinum
Left Pleural Cavity
Abdominal Cavity
Pelvic Cavity
Surrounds right     lung
Contains the trachea, esophagus, and major vessels
Surrounds left lung
Contains many digestive glands and organs
Contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, last portion of digestive tract
also contains
Pericardial Cavity
Surrounds heart 7

9. Figure 1.13ab Body Cavities
POSTERIOR
ANTERIOR
Visceral pericardium
Heart
Pleural cavity
Pericardial cavity
Thoracic cavity
Parietal pericardium
Pericardial cavity
Air space
Diaphragm
Balloon
The heart projects into the pericardial cavity like a fist pushed into a balloon.
Peritoneal cavity
Abdominal cavity
Abdominopelvic cavity
Pelvic cavity
Lateral view of the subdivisions of the ventral body cavities. The muscular diaphragm separates the superior thoracic (chest) cavity and the inferior abdominopelvic cavity. 9

10. Figure 1.13cd Body Cavities
Pleural cavity
Pericardial cavity
Diaphragm
Peritoneal cavity
Pelvic cavity
Anterior view of the ventral body cavity and its subdivisions
Sternum
Heart in pericardial cavity
Pleural cavity
Right lung
Left lung
Right lung
Left lung
Pleura
Mediastinum
Spinal cord
Sectional view of the thoracic cavity. Unless otherwise noted, all sectional views are presented in inferior view. (See Clinical Note on pp. 22–23 for more details.) 10