Using no more than 10 propositions, locate and name the major body cavities and their subdivisions and associated membranes, and list the major organs contained within them.

There are 2 main cavities: the dorsal and the ventral cavity.

The dorsal is subdivided in: cranial cavity and vertebral cavity.
The dorsal cavity is limited by cranial bones and vertebras. This cavity is associated with three membranes- the meninges -the pia mater, arachnoid, and dura mater. This cavity contains the brain and the spinal cord.

The ventral cavity can be subdivided into the thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.
The ventral cavity is limited by thoracic and abdominal muscles and bones.
This sub-cavities are separated by the diaphragm.

The thoracic cavity can be subdivided into the pleural cavity and the mediastinum.
The pleural cavity is limited by the pleural membrane( parietal pleura+ visceral pleura) which we can say that it's the surface of the lungs ( also included in this cavity).
The mediastinum contains major arteries and veins, part of the trachea, part of the esophagus, the heart and it's the pericardium(visceral+parietal) that surrounds the heart, so we they are "the surface of the heart".

The abdominopelvic cavity is also subdivided into the abdominal cavity and the pelvic cavity.
It's laterally limited by abdominal muscles.
It's associated with a serous membrane that covers the surface of the organs: the peritoneum.
It contains stomach, the liver, the spleen, the intestines, the kidneys and the pancreas.

The pelvic cavity doesn't have a physical separation of the abdominal cavity and is divided only by an imaginary plan.
Inferiorly is limited by the pelvic diaphragm.
It contains the bladder and genitals.

In between the visceral, the inner layer that covers the organs, and parietal layers of the ventral cavity there is serous fluid that allows them to slide freely over each other. So we can say that these serous membranes are found in any ventral wall.

Dorsal body cavity and ventral body cavity are main body cavities.

Further explanation

There are a number of cavities in the body some of them are explained below  

Dorsal body cavity

The more mediocre of the two encase body cavity that ensures the delicate sensory system organs; has two subdivisions, the cranial cavity and the vertebral cavity, which are consistent with one another.

The cranial cavity

It surrounds brain and provide it protection.

The vertebral, or spinal, cavity

Keeps running inside the hard-vertebral segment, and encases the sensitive spinal cord, spinal cord is a continuation of the brain

Meninges

It is a membrane which protects the spinal cord and brain.

Ventral body cavity

The foremost and huge of the close body depressions; houses interior organs all in all called the viscera, or instinctive organs; has two noteworthy subdivision, the thoracic hole and the abdominopelvic cavity.

The thoracic cavity

It is encompassed by the ribs and muscles of the chest; contains heart and lungs; subdivided into sidelong pleural cavities and the average mediastinum

Pleural cavities

A potential space between the two layers of pleura, each containing a lung and a slight film of serous liquid.

Mediastinum

The cavity of t he thorax containing the pericardial hole (the heart, incredible vessels), thymus, and parts of the trachea, bronchi, and throat.

Pericardial cavity

It possesses heart and greater vessels.

Answer details

Subject: Biology

Level: College

Key words

Dorsal body cavity The cranial cavity The vertebral, or spinal, cavity Meninges Ventral body cavity The thoracic cavity Pleural cavities Mediastinum Pericardial cavity

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