Body Cavities and Their Labeling
Body cavities are fluid-filled spaces in multicellular organisms where internal organs develop. In humans, these cavities are located between the skin and the outer lining of the gut cavity. Here’s a detailed overview of the major body cavities:
1. Dorsal Cavity: Located on the dorsal side of the body, this continuous cavity houses the organs of the upper central nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord.
2. Ventral Cavity: This is the largest body cavity in terms of volume. It’s divided into two main sections by a sheet of muscle known as the diaphragm:
– Thoracic Cavity: Contains the pericardial cavity (the heart) and the pleural cavity (the lungs).
– Abdominopelvic Cavity: Further divided into the abdominal cavity (primarily digestive system) and the pelvic cavity (primarily reproductive system).
3. Cranial Cavity: Part of the dorsal cavity, it houses the brain.
4. Spinal Cavity: Also part of the dorsal cavity, it contains the spinal cord.
5. Abdominal Cavity: Part of the abdominopelvic cavity, it primarily contains organs of the digestive system.
6. Pelvic Cavity: The lower part of the abdominopelvic cavity, it primarily contains reproductive organs.
These cav
