Abdominopelvic cavity

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  Diagram of body cavities

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  Frontal view of body cavities

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  Lateral view of body cavities

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The abdominopelvic cavity is a large body cavity in humans and many other animals that houses the majority of the organs of the digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems. It is a part of the larger ventral body cavity and is located below the thoracic cavity.

Structure

The abdominopelvic cavity is divided into two main parts:

Abdominal Cavity

The abdominal cavity is the superior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity. It is bounded by the diaphragm superiorly, the pelvic inlet inferiorly, and the abdominal wall anteriorly and laterally. Posteriorly, it is bordered by the vertebral column and the back muscles.

The abdominal cavity contains many vital organs, including:

• The stomach
• The liver
• The gallbladder
• The pancreas
• The spleen
• The small intestine
• The majority of the large intestine
• The kidneys and adrenal glands

Pelvic Cavity

The pelvic cavity is the inferior portion of the abdominopelvic cavity. It is enclosed by the pelvic bones and contains the terminal part of the large intestine, the urinary bladder, and the internal reproductive organs.

Function

The abdominopelvic cavity serves several critical functions:

• Protection: It protects the internal organs from physical damage.
• Support: It provides a structure for the attachment of muscles and ligaments.
• Compartmentalization: It separates the organs into distinct areas, allowing for efficient functioning and reducing the spread of infection.

Clinical Significance

The abdominopelvic cavity is often examined in clinical settings to diagnose and treat various conditions. Common procedures include:

• Abdominal ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI
• Laparoscopy

Conditions affecting the abdominopelvic cavity include:

• Appendicitis
• Peritonitis
• Hernia
• Ascites

Related Pages

• Ventral body cavity
• Thoracic cavity
• Peritoneum
• Digestive system
• Excretory system
• Reproductive system