Major Body Cavities

Overview

• The lecture covers the major body cavities visible in a side profile view.
• Emphasis on understanding the placement and function of each cavity.

Cranial and Vertebral Cavities

• Cranial Cavity: Encases the brain.
• Vertebral Cavity: Encases the spinal cord.
• Both are covered by membranes known as the meninges.

Thoracic Cavity

• Encompasses the chest region.
• Contents:
  • Heart: Encased in the pericardial cavity.
  • Lungs: Encased in the pleural cavity.
• Pleural Cavity: Includes two lungs.
• Pericardial Cavity: Encloses the heart.
• Membranes:
  • Visceral and Parietal Layers: Apply to both the heart and lungs.
    • Visceral Pleura/Parietal Pleura: Layers of the lungs.
    • Visceral Pericardium/Parietal Pericardium: Layers of the heart.

Abdominal Pelvic Cavity

• Composed of the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity.
• Contains various internal organs.

Mediastinum

• A key region within the thoracic cavity.
• Located between the lungs.
• Contents:
  • Heart
  • Trachea: Air passage.
  • Esophagus: Food passage.
• Important as it houses significant tubes from the head to the lower body.

Study Recommendations

• Refer to textbook diagrams for more precise and clearer anatomical illustrations.
• Focus on terms like visceral, parietal, and meninges for detailed understanding in later chapters.