Which cavities are dorsal

Figure The locations of the major body cavities of the human body. Skip to main content. Search for:. The Human Body Cavities Information The major cavities of the human body are the spaces left over when internal organs are removed. The central nervous system, being that of the brain and spinal cord, controls all body functions; from organ control to movement.

Most importantly, the central nervous system acts as a vessel to communicate stimulation in the brain to actions and reactions within the body. To continue to explore the phenomena of the central nervous system and dorsal cavity, we must first discuss the structure that encompasses and protects the brain stem and spinal cord: the vertebrae.

The bones that make up the vertebral column are complex but serve a great purpose to protect the spinal cord and the corresponding roots that make up the central nerve system. The vertebrae consist of four different regions; the cervical vertebrae, which are smaller in size and support the head; the thoracic vertebrae, which are larger in size and provide rib attachments; the lumbar vertebrae, which are very large and support most of the upper body.

Finally, the sacrum vertebrae are the last bones of the spinal column that are completely fused together. These vertebrae are petite in size and provide support for the entire head, there are seven cervical vertebrae in total.

They have a very large vertebral foramen and they have transverse foramina in the transverse processes to supply space for veins and arteries to the brain. The cranium balances, quite precariously on the Atlas C 1 , pivoting with the occipital condyles of the inferior portion of the occipital bone. There is no intervertebral disc between Atlas and Axis, where there are usually in the rest of the vertebrae. The vertebra prominens C 7 , is also a special landmark of the spine; it has a long spinous process with a tubercle that makes it rather bulky, therefore, it protrudes in the back, at skin of the neck.

C 7 is the transition point between the cervical vertebrae and the thoracic vertebrae. These vertebrae are capable of lots of movements, such as rotation, lateral bending, flexion and extension.

The thoracic vertebrae are larger in size and have a heart shaped body. They have a round shaped vertebral foramen, and long slender spinous processes that slant inferiorly. A unique feature of these vertebrae is that they have coastal facets for rib attachment. The thoracic region of the spine is a little more limited in movement; rotation occurs here, lateral bending and flexion and extension; however, not to the same extent as the cervical or lumbar regions.

Kyphosis is a spinal disorder that occurs when a posterior exaggeration occurs after continuous flexion or forward motion in this region. These vertebrae are the largest in the vertebral column; they provide support for the entire upper body. They are oval shaped and have a triangular vertebral foramen; they have short spinous and transverse processes and their articular facets are vertical and face medially and laterally. More movement occurs here such as flexion and extension, rotation and lateral bending.

This region of the spine is prone to lordosis, a disorder in the spine where there is an anterior exaggeration in the vertebrae. It occurs naturally sometimes for pregnant women with the increasing weight of the infant in the belly; however, if lordosis proceeds or continues to get more defined, then nerve impingement and other nerve system dysfunctions can arise.

The sacrum is the caudal end of the vertebral column, it provides places for muscle attachment among other things. They are the fused vertebrae in the vertebral column that attach to the pelvic girdle. They fuse during puberty and between the ages yrs old. They have no movement, but merely provide structural support and protection of the pelvic floor. The intervertebral discs provide most of the support during articulation between the vertebrae.

The inferior articular processes articulate with the superior articular processes of the more caudal vertebrae. The joints in the vertebrae allow the spine to move in a variety of ways through extension, flexion, lateral bending and rotation. Over time, the intervertebral discs can become impinged.

Many individuals complain about back pain, especially lower back pain; this can occur from deteriorating discs, or when the discs compress. See below for more information on the ligaments and connective tissue in this region.

See below for more information on the origins and insertions on these muscles in the lumbar region they span the whole spine. The vertebral arteries supply the brain and spinal cord with blood from the heart.

They branch off the subclavian which supplies first and foremost the shoulders, arms, back and central nervous system. For more information on the blood supply, refer to the cervical vertebrae section where there is more detail. The central nervous system CNS is a very important structure to consider when discussing the dorsal cavity. The nervous system is the first system to develop in the fetus.

It plays a specific role in the ability for us, humans, to actively sense our surroundings, how else are you to perceive your world without the nerve system?

Contributor Cut Rita Zahara. Rights Creative Commons. Type Image. The ventral is the larger cavity and is subdivided into two parts thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities by the diaphragm, a dome-shaped respiratory muscle. The upper ventral, thoracic, or chest cavity contains the heart , lungs, trachea , esophagus , large blood vessels, and nerves. The thoracic cavity is bound laterally by the ribs covered by costal pleura and the diaphragm caudally covered by diaphragmatic pleura.

The lower part of the ventral abdominopelvic cavity can be further divided into two portions: abdominal portion and pelvic portion. The abdominal cavity contains most of the gastrointestinal tract as well as the kidneys and adrenal glands.

The abdominal cavity is bound cranially by the diaphragm, laterally by the body wall, and caudally by the pelvic cavity. The pelvic cavity contains most of the urogenital system as well as the rectum.