Can you identify the organs that are in the following cavities?
- The thoracic cavity is formed by the ribs, muscles of the chest, sternum, and the thoracic part of the spinal cord. This cavity is subdivided into three smaller cavities, namely the pericardial cavity, pleural cavity, and mediastinum. It is composed of the heart, trachea, esophagus, thymus, and the blood vessels that enter and exit the heart.
- The cranial cavity is formed by the cranial bones (skull), brain, meninges, and a shock-absorbing fluid. It is connected to the vertebral canal, which is composed of the spinal cord and the cerebrospinal fluid.
- The abdominal cavity contains the stomach, spleen, liver, gallbladder, small intestine, and most parts of the large intestine.
- The pelvic cavity is composed of the urinary bladder, some parts of the large intestine, and the parts of the reproductive system.
- The mediastinum is composed of the heart, thymus gland, portions of the esophagus and trachea, and the blood vessels entering and exiting the heart.