Body cavities

Question 1

What are body cavities?

Answer 1

Spaces that enclose, protect, separate and support internal organs

Question 2

What are the two major cavities of the trunk?

Answer 2

1. Thoracic cavity
2. Abdominopelvic cavity

Question 3

What are the other two major body cavities?
NB they are continuous with each other

Answer 3

1. Cranial cavity
2. Vertebral canal

Question 4

What are the two types of cavity and one type of region contained within the thoracic cavity?

Answer 4

1. Pericardial cavity
2. Pleural cavities
3. Mediastinum

Question 5

What is the collective term for organs inside the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities?

Answer 5

Viscera

Question 6

What surrounds the brain and spinal cord to protect them from damage?

Answer 6

1. Three layers of meninges (protective tissue)
2. Cerebrospinal fluid (shock-absorbing fluid)

Question 7

What is and where is the mediastinum?

Answer 7

The central portion of the thoracic cavity extending from the sternum to the vertebral column and from the first rib to the diaphragm

Question 8

What does the mediastinum contain?

Answer 8

All of the thoracic organs except for the lungs
1. Heart
2. Oesophagus
3. Trachea
4. Thymus
5. Large blood vessels of the heart

Question 9

What separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity?

Answer 9

The diaphragm

Question 10

Where is the abdominopelvic cavity?

Answer 10

From the diaphragm to the groin

Question 11

What encircles the abdominopelvic cavity?

Answer 11

The abdominal muscular wall and the bones and muscles of the pelvis

Question 12

What are the names of the two portions within the abdominopelvic cavity?
NB there is no wall separating them

Answer 12

1. Abdominal cavity
2. Pelvic cavity

Question 13

Which six key organs does the abdominal cavity contain?

Answer 13

1. Stomach
2. Spleen
3. Liver
4. Gallbladder
5. Small intestine
6. Large intestine (most of it)

Question 14

Which three organs are contained in the pelvic cavity?

Answer 14

1. Urinary bladder
2. Large intestine (some of it)
3. Internal organs of the genital systems

Question 15

What is being described below?
A thin, pliable tissue that covers, lines, partitions or connects structures

Answer 15

A membrane

Question 16

What type of membrane is associated with body cavities and does not open directly to the exterior of the body?

Answer 16

Serous membranes

Question 17

What are the three parts of a serous membrane?

Answer 17

1. The parietal layer - thin epithelium lining the cavities
2. The visceral layer - thin epithelium lining the organs/viscera within the cavity
3. The serous fluid within the potential space (the space between the two layers)

Question 18

What is the name of the serous membrane of the pleural cavities?

Answer 18

The pleura (sing) / pleurae (pl)

Question 19

What is the name of the serous membrane of the pericardial cavity?

Answer 19

The pericardium

Question 20

What is the name of the serous membrane of the abdominal cavity?

Answer 20

The peritoneum

Question 21

Are any abdominal organs not contained within the peritoneum?

Answer 21

Yes
They are said to be ‘retroperitoneal’

Question 22

Which six abdominal organs/parts of abdominal organs are retroperitoneal?

Answer 22

1. Kidneys
2. Suprarenal glands
3. Pancreas
4. Duodenum of the small intestine
5. Ascending and descending colons of the large intestine
6. Portions of the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava