The two largest body cavities are the ventral cavity and dorsal cavity. The ventral cavity is located in the front of the trunk and contains organs like the lungs, heart, stomach and intestines. It is subdivided into the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity. The thoracic cavity holds the lungs and heart. The abdominopelvic cavity contains the digestive organs, kidneys, and reproductive organs. The dorsal cavity is located in the back and is subdivided into the cranial cavity which holds the brain, and the spinal cavity which contains the spinal cord running down the length of the vertebral column.

1. Body Cavities
Dr.Rikki Deogade
Department of Anatomy
DMMC
Nagpur

2. Definition
It is a fluid-filled space inside the body that holds
and protects internal organs.
Human body cavities are separated by
membranes and other structures.
2 largest human body cavities are the
ventral cavity and the dorsal cavity.
These two body cavities are subdivided into
smaller body cavities

3. Ventral Cavity
It is at the anterior, or front, of the trunk.
Organs contained within this body cavity include the lungs, heart,
stomach, intestines, and reproductive organs.
The ventral cavity allows for considerable changes in the size and
shape of the organs within it as they perform their functions.
For example, organs such as the lungs, stomach, or uterus can expand
or contract without distorting other tissues or disrupting the activities
of nearby organs.

4. Subdivided into :-
1. The thoracic cavity fills the chest and is subdivided into two pleural
cavities and the pericardial cavity. The pleural cavities hold the
lungs, and the pericardial cavity holds the heart.Separated from
rest by Diaphragm
2. The abdominopelvic cavity fills the lower half of the trunk and is
subdivided into the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity. The
abdominal cavity holds digestive organs and the kidneys, and the
pelvic cavity holds reproductive organs and organs of excretion

5. Thoracic cavity is subdivided into pleural cavities, the mediastinum,
and the pericardial cavity
• Pleural cavities – each houses a lung
• Mediastinum – contains the pericardial cavity, and
surrounds the remaining thoracic organs
• Pericardial cavity – encloses the heart

6.  Abdominopelvic cavity is separated from the
superior thoracic cavity by the dome-shaped
diaphragm
• It is composed of two subdivisions
• Abdominal cavity – contains the stomach,
intestines, spleen, liver, and other organs
• Pelvic cavity – lies within the pelvis and
contains the bladder, reproductive organs,
and rectum

7. Ventral Body Cavity Membranes
• Parietal serosa lines internal body walls
• Visceral serosa covers the internal organs
• Serous fluid separates the serosae

8. Other Body Cavities
• Oral and digestive – mouth and cavities of the digestive organs
• Nasal –located within and posterior to the nose
• Orbital – house the eyes
• Middle ear – contain bones (ossicles) that transmit sound vibrations
• Synovial – joint cavities

9. Abdominopelvic Regions
• Umbilical
• Epigastric
• Hypogastric
• Right and left iliac or inguinal
• Right and left lumbar
• Right and left hypochondriac
Figure 1.11a

10. Abdominopelvic Quadrants
• Right upper (RUQ)
• Left upper (LUQ)
• Right lower (RLQ)
• Left lower (LLQ)
Figure 1.12

11. Organs of the Abdominopelvic Regions
Figure 1.11b

12. Dorsal Cavity
• It is at the posterior, or back, of the body, including both the head and
the back of the trunk.
Subdivided into :-
1. The cranial cavity fills most of the upper part of the skull and
contains the brain.
2. The spinal cavity is a very long, narrow cavity inside the vertebral
column. It runs the length of the trunk and contains the spinal cord