Organization of the Body: Body Cavities - Online Tutor, Practice Problems & Exam Prep

The human body is organized into body cavities, primarily the anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) cavities. The anterior cavity is divided by the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity, housing the heart and lungs, and the abdominal pelvic cavity, which includes the abdominal and pelvic cavities. The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs, while the pelvic cavity houses the bladder and reproductive organs. Understanding these anatomical divisions is crucial for studying organ systems and their functions.

Organization of the Body: Body Cavities Example 1

This example wants us to name at least one organ that is located in each cavity. Pretty straightforward. So first, we have the anterior cavity. Remember, anterior means the front of the body. We also call it the ventral cavity. We can see that in green here, and it's just the big cavity that takes up the majority of the trunk of your body. So you can name any organ that's in there. Any visceral organ, we're going to say. So I'll just name a few. It could be your lungs. It could be your liver. It could be your bladder. We can go on and on. It could be your heart. It could be your intestines, your stomach. If it's in the trunk of your body, it's in the anterior cavity.

The next cavity is the posterior cavity. Posterior means the back of the body, also called the dorsal cavity, and we can see that in purple. And that's really just going to house two main things: the brain and the spinal cord. Now just remember, depending on the textbook or depending on your professor, sometimes they want you to learn this as the posterior or dorsal cavity. Sometimes they don't want you to think of it as a cavity because it has technical differences from the anterior cavity. Check your notes. Check your textbook to know for sure. With that, we're going to go into a lot more detail on the anterior cavity going forward. I'm looking forward to it.

During a dissection, three of the following organs can be observed by making a single large incision. One cannot be observed by that same incision. Which organ would require its own incision to observe?

• A. Stomach
• B. Liver
• C. Pancreas
• D. Brain

Organization of the Body: Body Cavities Example 2

This example wants us to label the cavities within the anterior cavity and list one organ found in each. And we have this anatomical model. We're looking at a sagittal view or side or profile view of the model, and we can see a blue cavity, an orange cavity, and a red cavity going down the body. So let's see what they are.

So first off, this blue cavity, can you name it and name one thing in it? Well, that's the chest region. The word for chest that we have is thoracic, so that's the thoracic cavity. And naming something in your chest should be pretty easy. How about your heart? Your lungs work as well.

Going down, we have this orange cavity. Can you name it? Can you name one thing in it? Well, that middle region here, that is your abdominal region, so that is the abdominal cavity. One thing in your abdominal cavity? Well, how about your stomach? You could also say your liver, your kidneys, your intestines, and your pancreas. There's a whole bunch of stuff going on there, mostly your digestive organs.

And then finally, our lowest one here on the body in red, can you name it? Can you name one thing in it? That is the pelvic cavity. And how about the bladder? Reset the bladder and also the internal reproductive organs. So in females, that would be like the vagina, the uterus, fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. In males, that would be some tubes and the glands, specifically the prostate gland.

Alright, with that, we got some more practice problems to follow. See you there.

What are the two subdivisions of the anterior body cavity?

• A. Abdominal and pelvic.
• B. Thoracic and abdominopelvic.
• C. Dorsal and ventral.
• D. Pleural and thoracic.

Boxers are taught to tense their muscles to protect themselves from the impact of punches. This is especially true for punches to the abdomen. Why do you think this is the case?

• A. The abdominal cavity holds the body’s most sensitive organs.
• B. The abdominal cavity lacks bony protection.
• C. The muscles surrounding the abdominal cavity are larger than muscles around any other part of the body.
• D. Both A and B are correct.

Here’s what students ask on this topic:

What are the main body cavities and their subdivisions?

The human body has two main body cavities: the anterior (ventral) cavity and the posterior (dorsal) cavity. The anterior cavity is further divided by the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity and the abdominal pelvic cavity. The thoracic cavity, located above the diaphragm, houses the heart and lungs. The abdominal pelvic cavity, located below the diaphragm, is subdivided into the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity. The abdominal cavity contains most of the digestive organs, such as the liver, stomach, and intestines, while the pelvic cavity houses the bladder and internal reproductive organs. The posterior cavity includes the cranial cavity, which houses the brain, and the vertebral cavity, which contains the spinal cord.

What organs are found in the thoracic cavity?

The thoracic cavity, located above the diaphragm, primarily contains the heart and lungs. These organs are protected by the rib cage and sternum. The thoracic cavity also includes other structures such as the esophagus, trachea, and major blood vessels like the aorta and vena cava. The heart is enclosed within the pericardial cavity, a smaller compartment within the thoracic cavity, while the lungs are housed in the pleural cavities, one for each lung.

How is the abdominal pelvic cavity divided?

The abdominal pelvic cavity is divided into two main regions: the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity. The abdominal cavity, located superior to the pelvic cavity, contains most of the digestive organs, including the liver, stomach, intestines, and kidneys. The pelvic cavity, located inferior to the abdominal cavity, houses the bladder, internal reproductive organs, and the rectum. Unlike the thoracic cavity, there is no clear physical divider between the abdominal and pelvic cavities; they are distinguished based on the anatomical regions they occupy.

What is the function of the diaphragm in dividing body cavities?

The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that plays a crucial role in dividing the anterior (ventral) cavity into the thoracic cavity and the abdominal pelvic cavity. Located just below the rib cage, the diaphragm separates the organs of the chest (heart and lungs) from those of the abdomen (digestive organs) and pelvis (bladder and reproductive organs). It also aids in respiration by contracting and relaxing to allow the lungs to expand and contract, facilitating breathing.

What is the difference between the anterior and posterior body cavities?

The anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) body cavities differ in their location and the organs they house. The anterior cavity is located at the front of the body and is divided by the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity (housing the heart and lungs) and the abdominal pelvic cavity (containing digestive and reproductive organs). The posterior cavity is located at the back of the body and includes the cranial cavity, which houses the brain, and the vertebral cavity, which contains the spinal cord. While both cavities house vital organs, they are structurally and functionally distinct.