ANSC 2340 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3-4: Pulmonary Pleurae, Abdominopelvic Cavity, Thoracic Cavity

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Animal Science
• Course: ANSC 2340
• Professor: Mandell

Document Summary

Central part of animals body is often referred to as truck or torso. 3 cavities (spaces) in the trunk which includes thoracic, abdominal and pelvic. Bony formed by sternum, ribs, costal cartilage, thoracic vertebrae which includes thorax and muscles of chest. Includes trachea, esophagus, lungs, heart, large blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics, lymph nodes. Can be further sub divided to include 2 pleural cavities which each contain one lung and the mediastinum which contains pericardial cavity (contains heart), trachea, esophagus. All organs and structures in thoracic cavity are lined by a thin membrane pleura. Visceral pleura refers to pleura covering organs and structures with the term visceral referring to soft internal organs. Parietal layer lines thoracic cavity with the term, parietal referring to wall of organ or cavity. Pleura have various functions including production of fluid which acts to lubricate to allow surfaces to slide over each other easily. This cavity is separated from thoracic cavity by diaphragm.