19. The pelvic cavity and pelvic skeleton

Optional Reading Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 8th ed., chapter 6, Introduction to pelvis and perineum section through The bottom line: Pelvic cavity, pelvic peritoneum, and pelvic fascia. The pelvis is the region of transition where the trunk and lower limbs meet. Since the word pelvis comes from the Latin term for basin, it is used more […]

Autonomic innervation of thoracic organs

Now let’s take the principles of the ANS that we learned in Principles of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and apply them specifically to innervating thoracic organs. Autonomic nerve plexuses Autonomic motor and visceral afferent fibers reach and leave thoracic organs through autonomic nerve plexuses.  Concept In autonomic plexuses, parasympathetic and sympathetic fibers and visceral […]

Heart and pericardium

Location of the heart and pericardium The heart and pericardium are located in the mediastinum, resting atop the diaphragm, between the lungs and pleural cavities. Owing to its development, most of the heart is located to the left side of the body’s midline. The size of the heart is described as that of the person’s […]

Pleura, pleural sacs, and lungs

Pleura and pleural sacs Pleura is a serous membrane associated with the lungs. Pleura comes in two varieties: Visceral pleura Read More Visceral pleura invests each lung; in fact, it forms the outermost layer of the organs themselves. It is snugly adherent and difficult to remove. Being structurally part of the lungs, it is derived […]

13. Introduction to the thoracic cavity

In this chapter Subdivisions of the thoracic cavity The thoracic cavity is divided into two pleural spaces bilaterally, containing the lungs and pleural sacs, and a central space containing the rest of the thoracic viscera called the mediastinum (Latin = median septum). Next Pleura, pleural sacs, and lungs

18. The retroperitoneum (posterior abdominal wall)

Optional Reading Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 8th ed., Diaphragm section through Clinical box: Diaphragm. Muscles of the posterior abdominal wall Diaphragm Right and left domed musculotendinous partition between thoracic and abdominal cavities Extends up to the 5th rib on the right, 5th intercostal space on the left Depends on the position, phase of respiration, size and […]