Body cavity

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Body Cavity

A body cavity (/ˈbɒdi kævɪti/; from Latin cavitas corporis) is a fluid-filled space inside the body that holds and protects internal organs.

Etymology

The term body cavity is derived from the Latin cavitas corporis, where cavitas means "hollow" or "cavity" and corporis means "of the body".

Types of Body Cavities

There are two main types of body cavities:

  1. Coelom: A coelom is a body cavity that is completely lined by mesoderm tissue. Coelomic cavities are found in several types of animals, including humans.
  2. Pseudocoelom: A pseudocoelom is a body cavity that is not completely lined by mesoderm tissue. Pseudocoelomic cavities are found in certain types of invertebrates.

In humans, there are several specific body cavities:

  • Thoracic cavity: The thoracic cavity is the chamber of the body of vertebrates that is protected by the thoracic wall (rib cage and associated skin, muscle, and fascia).
  • Abdominal cavity: The abdominal cavity is a large body cavity in humans and many other animals that contains many organs.
  • Pelvic cavity: The pelvic cavity is a body cavity that is bounded by the bones of the pelvis and which primarily contains reproductive organs and the rectum.
  • Cranial cavity: The cranial cavity, or intracranial space, is the space within the skull.

Related Terms

  • Mesoderm: The mesoderm is one of the three primary germ layers in the very early embryo.
  • Peritoneum: The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity.
  • Pleura: The pleura are the two thin layers of tissue that protect and cushion the lungs.
  • Pericardium: The pericardium is the fibrous sac that surrounds the heart.

See Also

References

External Links

External links

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