Thoracic Cavity and Organs

The Mammalian coelum is made up of 4 main parts; The Abdominal Cavity, Pericardial Cavity, and two Pleural Cavities.  The Pericardial and Pleural Cavities along with the Mediastinum make up the Thoracic Cavity. The boundaries of the Thoracic Cavity are the Ribs (and Sternum), Vertebral Column, and the Diaphragm.  The Diaphragm seperates the Thoracic Cavity from the Abdominal Cavity.


Mediastinum - Space between the left and right Pleural Cavities.  Contains the Pericardial Cavity which surrounds the Heart, Trachea, Esophagus, Thymus, and Blood Vessals.
Parietal Pleura - Sheet of Coelomic epithelial tissue that lines the Pleural Cavities.

Visceral Pleura - Continuation of the Parietal Pleura that covers the surface of the lungs.

Numbered • Labeled




On your own:  What organs pictured above are not part of the Thoracic Cavity?    Liver