BODY CAVITY

The organs that make the system of the body are contained in four cavities Cranial cavity Abdominal cavity Thoracic cavity Pelvic cavity CRANIAL CAVITY The cranial cavity contains the brain and its boundaries are formed by the bones of the skull. Anteriorly : Frontal bone=1 Posteriorly : Occipital bone=1 Laterally : Temporal bone=2 Superiorly : Parietal bones=2 Inferiorly : Sphenoid=1, Ethomoid=1, and part of the frontal, temporal and occipital bones. THORACIC CAVITY The thoracic cavity is situated in the upper part of the trunk. Its boundaries are formed by a bony frame work and supporting muscles Anteriorly : The sternum and costal cartilage of the ribs Posteriorly : The thoracic vertebrae and intervertebral discs. Laterally : 12 pairs of ribs and the intercostals muscles Superiorly : The structures forming the root of the neck Inferiorly : The diaphragm CONTENTS: Trachea=1 Inferior venacava=1 Bronchi=2 Esophagus=1 Lungs=2 Lymph vessels Heart=1 Lymph nodes Aorta=1 Nerves Superior venacava=1 ABDOMINAL CAVITY This is the largest cavity in the body and is oval in shape. It is situated in the main part of the trunk and its boundaries are: Anteriorly : Anterior abdominal wall muscles Posteriorly : The lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral disc. Posterior abdominal
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Muscle Laterally : The lower ribs and parts of the abdominal muscles Superiorly : The diaphragm Inferiorly : The pelvic cavity The abdominal cavity is divided into the nine regions. This facilitates the description of the positions of the organs and structures it contains CONTAINS Most of the abdominal cavity is occupied by the organs and glands of the digestive system. Stomach Spleen Small and large intestine Kidneys Liver Upper parts of uterus Gall bladder Adrenal glands Bile ducts Blood vessels Pancreas Lymph vessels, nerves and nodes PELVIC CAVITY The pelvic cavity is roughly funnel shaped and extends from the lower end of the abdominal cavity and the boundaries are: Anteriorly : Pubic bones Posteriorly : Sacrum and coccyx Laterally : Innominate bone (Hip bones) Inferiorly : Muscles of the pelvic floor Superiorly : Abdominal cavity CONTENTS The pelvic cavity contains the following structure Pelvic colon Rectum and anus Urinary bladder Lower part of ureter and urethra In the female: The organs of the reproductive system: Uterus, uterine tube, ovaries and vagina. In the male: Some of the organs of the reproductive system:
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Prostate gland, seminal vesicles, spermatic cords, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts and the urethra.

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