What cavity contains the heart and lungs?

What cavity contains the heart and lungs?

• A. Cranial Cavity
• B. Thoracic Cavity
• C. Vertebral Cavity
• D. Abdominal Cavity

Answer: (B)

Understanding where organs reside within body cavities helps identify which space contains the heart and lungs. The thoracic cavity is the space inside the rib cage, bordered below by the diaphragm. Within it, the heart sits in the pericardial cavity (part of the mediastinum), and the lungs occupy their own pleural spaces on either side. So both the heart and lungs are housed in the thoracic cavity. By contrast, the cranial cavity contains the brain, the vertebral (spinal) cavity contains the spinal cord, and the abdominal cavity contains organs like the stomach, liver, and intestines. The diaphragm marks the boundary between the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Understanding where organs reside within body cavities helps identify which space contains the heart and lungs. The thoracic cavity is the space inside the rib cage, bordered below by the diaphragm. Within it, the heart sits in the pericardial cavity (part of the mediastinum), and the lungs occupy their own pleural spaces on either side. So both the heart and lungs are housed in the thoracic cavity. By contrast, the cranial cavity contains the brain, the vertebral (spinal) cavity contains the spinal cord, and the abdominal cavity contains organs like the stomach, liver, and intestines. The diaphragm marks the boundary between the thoracic and abdominal cavities.