DIGITAL VISION E- RESOURCES CONSORTIUM

BODY CAVITY

INTRODUCTION

All organs of the body such a heart, lungs, kidneys etc are located n certain spaces in the body. Such spaces are referred to as body cavities.

DEFINTITION

Body cavities are spaces and holes found within the bodies of animals that house various organs.

FUNCTIONS

1. Protection.
2. Housing.

TYPES OF BODY CAVITIES

There are several types of body cavities, namely:

1. Dorsal cavity
2. Ventral cavity

1. Dorsal cavity

These are the body cavities situated at the upper part of the body. There are two types, namely:

a. Cranial cavity.

Contains the brain.

b. Vertebral cavity.

Contains the spinal cord

2. Ventral cavity

 These are the cavities found at the lower part of the body. There are of two types namely:a.

a. Thoracic cavity

b. Abdominopelvic cavity

a. Thoracic cavity

The thoracic cavity is divided into pleural and mediasternum cavities. The pleural cavity contains the lungs. While the mediasternum contains the heart.

b. Abdominopelvic cavity

The Abdominopelvic cavity is of two types, namely:

1. Abdominal cavity
2. Pelvic cavity
3. Abdominal cavity

This cavity is situated at the abdominal region. It contains the liver, stomach, kidneys and other organs.

Pelvic cavity

This cavity is situated at the pelvic region. It contains the bladder, reproductive organs etc

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Figure 1: Images of cavities of human beings