Anatomic Cavities

Your body’s cavities are basically the “holes” that would be left (besides bones and tissues forming the space) if you removed your internal organs. Your body has two main cavities; the dorsal and ventral.

• Ventral cavity: Extends from just under the chin to the pelvic area, encompassing the thoracic cavity, diaphragm, and abdomino-pelvic cavity

  • Thoracic cavity: Contains the heart and lungs

  • Abdomino-pelvic cavity: Contains the organs of the abdomen and pelvis

• Dorsal cavity: Contains posterior body organs extending from the cranial cavity into the vertebral canal housing the spinal cord

  • Spinal cavity: Enfolds and protects the spinal cord

  • Cranial cavity: Inside the skull and enclosing the human brain