Activity 7. Cavities
a. Thoracic cavity
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The thoracic cavity houses respiratory (lungs, bronchi, trachea, pleura), cardiovascular (heart, pericardium, great vessels, lymphatics), nervous (vagus nerve, sympathetic chain, phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve), immune (thymus), and digestive (esophagus) organs and tissues.
b. Cranial cavity
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The cranial cavity is the space inside the skull that is located in the anterior portion of the dorsal cavity. This cavity houses the brain, its meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid.
c. Abdominal cavity
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The stomach, small intestine (jejunum and ileum), large intestine (colon), liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, kidneys, ureters, bladder, and many blood vessels are all located in the abdomen (arteries and veins).
d. Pelvic. Cavity
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The reproductive organs, urinary bladder, distal ureters, proximal urethra, terminal sigmoid colon, rectum, and anal canal are all located in the pelvic cavity. The uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and upper vagina occupy the space between the other viscera in females.
e. Mediastinum
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The heart, thymus gland, portions of the esophagus and trachea, and other structures are located in the mediastinum, a division of the thoracic cavity.