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Cavities of the body MCQ
Cavities of the Human Body: A Complete Overview
The human
body is divided into several cavities that house and protect vital organs.
These cavities also allow movement, expansion, and contraction of organs such
as the lungs and intestines. The major body cavities are broadly classified
into dorsal and ventral cavities.
1. Major Body Cavities
The human
body has two main types of cavities:
A) Dorsal Body Cavity
Located
along the posterior (back) side of the body, the dorsal cavity protects the central
nervous system and includes:
- Cranial Cavity
- Location:
Within the skull
- Organs Contained:
Brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Function:
Protects the brain
- Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity
- Location:
Inside the vertebral column
- Organs Contained:
Spinal cord, meninges, cerebrospinal fluid
- Function:
Protects the spinal cord, which transmits nerve signals
B) Ventral Body Cavity
Located
along the anterior (front) side of the body, the ventral cavity contains organs
related to circulation, digestion, and reproduction. It is divided into:
- Thoracic Cavity (Chest cavity)
- Location: Upper
portion of the ventral cavity, above the diaphragm
- Subdivisions:
- Pleural Cavities (Right
& Left): Surround the lungs
- Pericardial Cavity: Surrounds
the heart
- Mediastinum:
Central compartment containing the heart, esophagus, trachea, and major
blood vessels
- Function:
Houses and protects the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels
- Abdominopelvic Cavity
- Located below the
diaphragm and divided into two main regions:
a) Abdominal Cavity
- Organs Contained:
Stomach, liver, intestines, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, gallbladder
- Function:
Supports digestion and metabolism
b) Pelvic Cavity
- Organs Contained:
Urinary bladder, reproductive organs, rectum
- Function:
Supports reproductive and excretory systems
2. Subdivisions and Specific Cavities
Several
smaller cavities exist within the major cavities, including:
1. Oral (Buccal) Cavity
- Contains the teeth, tongue, and salivary glands
- Plays a role in digestion and speech
2. Nasal Cavity
- Located within the nose
- Filters, warms, and humidifies incoming air
3. Orbital Cavities (Eye Sockets)
- House the eyes, optic nerves, and muscles
4. Middle Ear (Tympanic) Cavity
- Contains the smallest bones in the body
(ossicles: malleus, incus, stapes)
- Involved in hearing and balance
5. Peritoneal Cavity
- A space within the abdominal cavity
- Contains peritoneal fluid, reducing friction between
abdominal organs
3. Membranes Lining Body Cavities
Each cavity
is lined by protective membranes:
- Meninges – Line the cranial
and spinal cavities
- Pleura – Line the pleural
cavities (lungs)
- Pericardium – Surrounds the heart
in the pericardial cavity
- Peritoneum – Lines the abdominal
cavity and covers abdominal organs
4. Functions of Body Cavities
- Protection – Encloses vital organs
to shield them from physical damage
- Support – Provides a structure
for organ attachment
- Movement & Expansion –
Allows for organ growth and function (e.g., lung expansion during
breathing)
- Separation of Organs – Prevents infection spread between systems
MCQ
Here are some multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on the cavities of the human body, along with explanations:
1. Which of the following is the largest cavity in the human body?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Answer: C) Abdominal cavity
Explanation: The abdominal cavity is the largest cavity in the human body, housing vital organs such as the stomach, liver, intestines, and kidneys. It is part of the abdominopelvic cavity.
2. The thoracic cavity is separated from the abdominal cavity by which structure?
A) Rib cage
B) Peritoneum
C) Diaphragm
D) Mediastinum
Answer: C) Diaphragm
Explanation: The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity (which contains the heart and lungs) from the abdominal cavity. It plays a crucial role in breathing.
3. Which cavity houses the brain?
A) Spinal cavity
B) Cranial cavity
C) Thoracic cavity
D) Orbital cavity
Answer: B) Cranial cavity
Explanation: The cranial cavity is part of the dorsal body cavity and encloses the brain, protecting it within the skull.
4. The peritoneal cavity is found in which major body cavity?
A) Dorsal cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominopelvic cavity
D) Cranial cavity
Answer: C) Abdominopelvic cavity
Explanation: The peritoneal cavity is within the abdominopelvic cavity and is lined by the peritoneum, which encloses many abdominal organs.
5. Which cavity contains the heart and lungs?
A) Thoracic cavity
B) Abdominal cavity
C) Cranial cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Answer: A) Thoracic cavity
Explanation: The thoracic cavity houses the heart (within the pericardial cavity) and lungs (within the pleural cavities), separated by the mediastinum.
6. The spinal cavity contains which of the following?
A) Brain
B) Lungs
C) Spinal cord
D) Liver
Answer: C) Spinal cord
Explanation: The spinal cavity, also called the vertebral cavity, runs within the vertebral column and protects the spinal cord.
7. The pelvic cavity contains which of the following organs?
A) Lungs and heart
B) Stomach and pancreas
C) Urinary bladder and reproductive organs
D) Brain and spinal cord
Answer: C) Urinary bladder and reproductive organs
Explanation: The pelvic cavity is the lower part of the abdominopelvic cavity and contains organs like the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs.
8. The mediastinum is located in which cavity?
A) Cranial cavity
B) Thoracic cavity
C) Abdominal cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Answer: B) Thoracic cavity
Explanation: The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity, containing the heart, trachea, esophagus, and major blood vessels.
9. The dorsal body cavity consists of which two sub-cavities?
A) Cranial and vertebral cavities
B) Thoracic and abdominal cavities
C) Abdominal and pelvic cavities
D) Pleural and pericardial cavities
Answer: A) Cranial and vertebral cavities
Explanation: The dorsal body cavity is made up of the cranial cavity (which houses the brain) and the vertebral (spinal) cavity (which contains the spinal cord).
10. The pleural cavity surrounds which organ?
A) Heart
B) Liver
C) Lungs
D) Kidneys
Answer: C) Lungs
Explanation: The pleural cavity is the space between the two layers of the pleura, surrounding each lung and filled with pleural fluid to reduce friction during respiration.
