Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology

Dorsal Cavity

The dorsal cavity contains the central nervous system,
and consists of the cranial cavity and the vertebral or
spinal cavity. The dorsal cavity is a continuous one;
that is, no wall or boundary separates its subdivisions.
The cranial cavity is formed by the skull and contains
the brain. The spinal cavity is formed by the backbone
(spine) and contains the spinal cord. The membranes
that line these cavities and cover the brain and spinal
cord are called the meninges.

Ventral Cavity

The ventral cavity consists of two compartments, the

thoracic cavity and the abdominal cavity, which are

separated by the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large,

dome-shaped respiratory muscle. It has openings for

the esophagus and for large blood vessels, but other-

wise is a wall between the thoracic and abdominal cav-

ities. The pelvic cavity may be considered a

subdivision of the abdominal cavity (there is no wall

between them) or as a separate cavity.

Organization and General Plan of the Body 13

Body Parts and Areas

Anatomic position

Cranial

Orbital

Nasal

Buccal

Axillary

Umbilical

Volar

Patellar

Plantar

Popliteal

Femoral

Inguinal

Iliac

Brachial

Mammary

Pectoral

Deltoid

Cervical

Parietal

Occipital

Lumbar

Sacral

Gluteal

Perineal

A B

Frontal

Temporal

Sternal

Antecubital

Antebrachial

Pedal

Scapular

Figure 1–4. Body parts and areas. The body is shown in anatomic position. (A) Anterior

view. (B) Posterior view. (Compare with Table 1–2.)

QUESTION:Name a body area that contains a bone with a similar name. Can you name

two more?